Weekend sees 876 COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths in Greater Lincolnshire

A former pupil sexually abused by her deputy headteacher from the age of 10 is encouraging others to speak up about abuse as a civil lawsuit mounts against Lincolnshire County Council.

Deputy headteacher David Taylor from Lincoln and head of care Raymond Longley of Caythorpe were sentenced last year after being convicted of several sexual offences at the former Stubton Hall School, which is located between Grantham and Newark.

Patricia (not her real name) was sexually assaulted by Taylor throughout her time at the school for vulnerable children between 1993 and 1995. She is one of 26 former pupils who have contacted Andrew Grove and Co Solicitors in Cambridge, which is mounting a civil lawsuit against Lincolnshire County Council who owned and ran the school.

The 39-year-old is now speaking out about the abuse, which started when she was just 10 years old, and is encouraging other survivors to join her in seeking damages for the sickening crimes they endured.

Taylor and Longley’s offences spanned over a 20-year period between 1983 and 1995, with Taylor jailed for 19 years and six months, while Longley was put behind bars for four years.

Taylor worked at Stubton Hall between 1975 and 1995, the final thirteen of those years he served as deputy headmaster. He was found guilty of three counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault on a girl and two counts of assault, ill treat, neglect of a child or young person. The charges related to five separate victims.

David Taylor (left) and Raymond Longley (right) were two management level staff members at Stubton Hall School near Grantham. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Patricia said: “The sexual abuse consisted of Mr Taylor fondling my genitals and breasts. He also used to kiss me. Other times he was violent towards me.

“If I was naughty in his class he would beat me and restrain me and then throw me in a tiny cupboard where I had to stay for as long as he decided. When I look back, I don’t know how I put up with the abuse for so long but I had nowhere else to go.”

Solicitor Katherine Yates, from Andrew Grove and Co, said her clients are seeking significant compensation, urging anyone else who may have been affected, or who has information which might help the investigation, to come forward.

She said: “We are taking statements from witnesses and claimants to get a clearer idea of what was going on at Stubton Hall School.

“What we are being told is quite horrific and it is hard to believe that this level of sexual and physical abuse was going on in the relatively recent past.

“I believe that it is important that if anyone was physically or sexually abused at Stubton Hall School they make themselves known to my firm. We are listening.

“It does not matter if you have not previously come forward to the police. There are many reasons why people feel anxious about coming forward, but we would encourage anyone who was at the school to make contact. We can help.

“All claims are being funded by way of a no win, no fee agreement so financial concerns should not prevent anyone from making contact and bringing a claim.”

Heather Sandy, Lincolnshire County Council executive director for children’s services, said: “LCC expresses deep regret over the abuse suffered by the victims in this case.

“We wish to apologise to the victims and are pleased that justice has been done through the convictions in the criminal case.

“We hope that this brings some comfort and closure to the victims. We are unable to comment further regarding potential legal claims.”

Anyone wishing to contact Katherine Yates should email [email protected] or call 01223 367133 or 07810 224545.

Northern Lincolnshire’s hospital trust has assured patients it is not in danger of declaring a major incident as the number of patients with coronavirus continues to rise.

There are 103 people with coronavirus are now being treated by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust after more were admitted over the weekend.

However, only 25 of those were admitted with COVID as the main reason.

There are currently 42 at Grimsby (with one in ICU), 55 at Scunthorpe (with none in ICU) and six at Goole.

The number of trust staff off sick is improving, with 295 currently absent, of which 69 have COVID-related reasons.

This compares to just under 500 in the first week of January.

The hospital trust reported earlier this month that a significant number of beds are being occupied by care home residents who are unable to be discharged due to care homes outbreaks.

Omicron cases are now rapidly falling in northern Lincolnshire after a sharp spike following New Year.

The latest infection rates for both local authorities are 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents.

North East Lincolnshire’s cases have decreased 28% from the previous week, and North Lincolnshire are down 27%.

A recent epidemiology report from North East Lincolnshire Council said: “The highest rates have been seen in the more socially active 19 to 24 population where the rate peaked at over 4,000.

“Of most concern however are the big increases that have occurred in the 60 to 79 and over 80s since Christmas Day which has led to a growing number of hospitalisations.

“In the last week the rates in all adult age groups have fallen significantly.

“There has however been a significant rise in primary school children since the start of the school term and many such schools are managing outbreaks.”

A restaurant whose alcohol sales were branded a potential “public nuisance” has been granted a licence after residents’ fears were dropped.

Abdal’s Kitchen in Ulceby originally ran into opposition from local people who feared it would lead to ruckus in the quiet village.

Owner Abdal Miah promised noise from the restaurant would be kept to a minimum when it opens.

“We understand the concerns and respect village life,” he told a North Lincolnshire Council licence hearing.

“We want to become part of this community. Most of our patrons will likely come from the village.

“We have been in the restaurant industry for a considerable amount of time, and we have invested a significant amount into this business.”

Mr Miah promised all patrons would be asked to leave quietly, and repeat offenders would be banned.

He added that music would only be played as background noise to create a “TGIFridays, big city-style” restaurant ambience.

The original application asked asked to serve alcohol until midnight, but this was scaled back after concerns.

A couple who lived nearby said they’d been reassured by the promises.

Humberside Police and Environmental Health, who had originally warned noise could become a ‘public nuisance’, also dropped their objections after stricter rules on alcohol sales were introduced.

The licence has been granted from 5pm to 11pm, seven days a week.

Ward councillor Richard Hannigan had called for Tuesdays to be exempt so that the restaurant wasn’t a “seven day operation”.

Abdal’s Kitchen says it doesn’t plan on opening this day most weeks, except for holidays such as Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.

The Sub-Committee’s report said one of the deciding factors was “the fact that the premises is currently not open or trading”.

“They respect and acknowledge the representations made by the interested parties, both in writing and at the hearing. However, as there was currently no evidence to support their concerns, the application was granted.”

The licence could be reviewed in future if it does result in problems.

This is what a sprawling new service station off the M180 will look like if plans are approved.

Two drive-thru restaurants, a fuel station, a 200-space lorry park and a café are proposed for the Barnetby Top interchange.

It would be located next to the busy intersection between the M180, A180, A15 and A18 to cater to the needs of travellers and lorry drivers.

It promises a big jobs boost with up 75 full-time roles expected to be created, but people in Barnetby-le-Wold have shared worries about the major development on their doorstep.

The plans for outline permission have been drawn up by the Lindum Group and the Brocklesby Estate.

The site, just south of the interchange, would also include electric vehicle charging points and short-stay caravan parking bays.

In total, it would be able to park 162 cars and 200 lorries.

Access would be created onto the A18, with vehicles only turning left as they leave.

Plans for service station and lorry park at Barnetby interchange, M180
Credits: Globe Consultants Ltd

The application claims the park will provide much-needed services for lorries travelling to and from the Humber’s ports and businesses.

“There are at least three private lorry parks [on the M180] which are regularly full during the peak period. Accordingly, HGV drivers often have no choice but to park up in laybys or other inappropriate off-line locations, such as industrial estates, and stop overnight,” it says.

Both of the drive-thru restaurants – which haven’t been named yet – are expected to employ up to 25 people.

Another 13 would work in the petrol garage shop, with a further 23 in the café.

The development has been in the pipeline for several years, with progress stalled due to the COVID pandemic.

A similar, smaller service station is currently located nearby on the same interchange.

However, residents in Barnetby-le-Wold have expressed concerned about the major development just outside the village, and the traffic it would attract.

One comment left on North Lincolnshire Council’s planning page said: “It will be on the edge of a thriving village. What will be done to combat high levels of… vehicle, noise and light pollution?”

Another said: “It is often difficult to exit the village because of the volume of traffic using the roundabout, and this development would substantially increase that.”

They added: “This proposed exit for cars is dangerous as it is on a bend on the road.”

The plans are currently open for public consultation, and are available to view on the council’s planning website.