Danny Maguire and Gediminas Vaitkus both died after one punch assaults in Lincolnshire in 2020. | Photos: Lincolnshire Police
Lincolnshire Police has launched a #OnePunchCanKill campaign to raise awareness of the devastating impact one punch can have after three assaults last year saw two men sadly die and another left with brain damage.
Luke Templeman struck Danny Maguire, 34, in the face in a pub beer garden in Grantham on February 28 last year with such force that the victim fell hitting his head on the ground.
Maguire was standing with his arms by his side and posing no threat to Templeman when he was struck, never regained consciousness and later passed away in hospital on March 6. Templeman was sentenced to four years and eight months in jail after admitting to the manslaughter of Mr Maguire.
Danny Maguire, 34, died following an incident on February 28. Photo: JustGiving
Danny’s sister Melanie Spate, who is from Nottinghamshire, has bravely chosen to support police’s new campaign and said: “What can start out as a fun night drinking with friends can easily turn into a nightmare that can ruin so many lives. Please, if you ever face confrontation be the better person and walk away.”
Gediminas Vaitkus died after a one punch assault in Red Lion Street in Boston on July 28, 2020. Hikmet Maez, 19, pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Mark Hatcher, 47, was rushed to hospital after an assault in the street near the Black Bull in Donington on January 4 last year. He was left with brain damage and in a coma. Paul Hayes, 47, of Donington, was jailed for three years.
These men were all jailed for one punch assaults in Lincolnshire. Left to right – Luke Templeman, Hikmet Maez, and Paul Hayes. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
As part of the force’s ongoing work to reduce violent crime, Lincolnshire Police is working with registered charity OnePunchUK to raise awareness of the devastation that a one punch assault can have on the victim and their families.
OnePunchUK was founded by Maxine Thompson-Curl whose son Kristian was tragically killed following a one punch attack while on a night in Consett, County Durham. Kristian, aged 19, was in a coma for more than a week and survived for 10 months but died in 2011.
One punch could shatter your world. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police
Melanie Spate statement in full
“My brother, Danny Maguire went out after work for a drink on Friday 28th February 2020. He had a heated discussion with a man in a pub beer garden later on that evening.
“The man walked away and then turned around and decided to punch my brother in the face. My brother fell back, hit his head and was knocked unconscious. He never woke up again. A week later he died in hospital from his injuries.
“My family and I spent every day at the hospital with him hoping and praying he would survive. It has absolutely broken us as a family.
“Our parents could not cope with being there whilst his machines, that were keeping him alive, were turned off.
“I sat and held my brother’s hand while his life support was turned off and he took his last breaths. I do not wish that on anyone. My husband came with me and witnessed me walk out the room and collapse on the floor whilst screaming like an animal in pain. I wish he hadn’t had to see that.
“I am so proud of my brother as he was an organ donor. His death meant he was able to help three men by donating both his kidneys and his heart.
“My brother has a nine-year-old son who now has to live his life without his Daddy. I have a six-year-old son who absolutely adored his Uncle and struggled to comprehend why he could no longer see him. I have laid in bed at night with my son while he has been sobbing asking if his Uncle can come back from heaven. He is scared that his Mummy or Daddy might die and leave him.
“My parents are broken. They cannot bear to talk about anything that has happened. My Mum is heartbroken. I witness her on a regular basis falling apart because she has lost her boy. My grief has been bubbling under the surface since it happened.
“I have had to stay strong for my son, my nephew and my parents. Now, over a year later it is hitting me again. I genuinely do not know how my family, or I will ever be the same again. I have experienced loss in my life, but nothing prepares you for losing a love one in this way. A senseless act that has left a young boy without his Daddy and for what? I urge people to think about how their actions can change people’s lives in seconds.
“What can start out as a fun night drinking with friends can easily turn into a nightmare that can ruin so many lives. Please, if you ever face confrontation be the better person and walk away.”
Spotted an error? Please notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
People living on a street in Gainsborough woke to find their doorsteps had been mistaken for a rubbish tip.
Piles of broken vacuum cleaner parts were dumped on the pavement in an alleyway behind Burton Street and Sandsfield Lane in the town, sparking a council appeal.
Anyone with information about the fly tipping incident is being asked to file a report online here.
Dear flytippers: Clean up your act! | Photo: WLDC
West Lindsey District Council said in a statement: “You are legally responsible for disposing of your rubbish correctly. If your rubbish is illegally deposited you could be fined or prosecuted.
“If someone else disposes of your rubbish for you, make sure you have their name, address, vehicle description and vehicle registration number – this comes in a form of a waste transfer note.
“Any person that takes payment for removing your rubbish must be licensed. Always ask to see a copy of their licence.”
A post about the incident attracted more than 100 comments from local people about the brazen fly tipping.
Some laid the blame at the current rules and restrictions at local tips.
Paddy Ferry wrote: “Legally responsible for disposing of our rubbish, fine, you should be legally responsible for making sure the tips are open and accessible for people without having to make appointments.”
Samantha Wharton. agreed: “If you made it easier for people to dispose of rubbish there wouldn’t be so much fly tipping.”
A Boston-born health boss who has helped guide the Prime Minister through the COVID-19 pandemic was subject to abuse by an anti-vaccine campaigner while working in London this week.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, who is England’s deputy chief medical officer, was chased by Geza Tarjanyi, while entering the Ministry of Defence building on Tuesday.
In a video circulating online, Mr Tarjanyi, a professional clown and family entertainer, accused Mr Van-Tam of “lying to the British people” and asked him “what was really in that needle that you put into Matt Hancock?”.
From late-minute equaliser goals, to waiting for a train and how coronavirus is not like a yoghurt, he has brought us the details in easy to understand and rarely convoluted messages.
During the video Mr Tarjanyi said: “Why are you continually lying to the British people? Why are you smiling? This country’s supposed to be in the worst pandemic of all time.”
Professor Van-Tam, in his only reply to the abuse, said: “It is.”
He also asks a receptionist at the Ministry of Defence to “get rid of this chap” after ignoring him, before walking away into another part of the building.
Downing Street has condemned the abuse.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “People working to fight the pandemic and save lives, which is what Professor Van-Tam is doing every single day, should never face that kind of appalling behaviour for doing their job.
“The right to free speech is fundamental to our democracy, but violence, threats or intimidation is absolutely never acceptable.”
Lancashire-based Mr Tarjanyi, whose professional name is Gayzer Frackman, is known online figure for his opposition to 5G mobile networks, fracking, mask-wearing and other public health measures during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He has previously also carried out a similar incident with Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.
Local health leaders have been asked about the incident.
The Department for Health and Social Care said it did not have anything further to add to the PM’s official statement.
The new owner of the Sizzling Griddle cafe in uphill Lincoln wants to give customers traditional and good quality, hearty breakfasts, and The Lincolnite went to check it out.
Ian Ray, who has run sister business Plough Boy pub on Upper Long Leys Road, off Burton Road, for three-and-a-half years, became the new owner of Sizzling Griddle, which is located next door, earlier this month.
The business opened with Ian at the helm on Friday, June 11, 2021.
Sizzling Griddle specialises in breakfasts, but also serves sandwiches, toasties, burgers and chips, prepared by head chef Jules, who “makes the griddle sing”.
Breakfasts are available as big (£6.80), small (£5.75), child’s (£3.50) and vegetarian.
Traditional English breakfasts, burger and chips, and poached egg on toasts are among the items on the menu at Sizzling Griddle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The big breakfast comes with two sausages, two rashers of bacon, two eggs, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns, fried bread, toast or bread and tea or coffee. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Ian, who is originally from Widnes and has lived in Lincoln for eight years, told The Lincolnite that his aim is to serve a traditional style breakfast with no corners cut.
The cafe is believed to have been around for 50 years with different owners, and now Ian wants to put his stamp on it. He saw taking ownership of the Sizzling Griddle as a chance to blend two businesses together, although the cafe and Plough Boy pub will operate separately.
Ian said: “It’s gone well and we are already building up a good core of regular trade. We want to build on this opportunity further now and in the future.”
Burger and chips at the Sizzling Griddle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Poached egg on toast – a simple yet tasty item on the menu. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
For the duration of England games in Euro 2020, there is currently an offer of a beer and a burger for £7. There will be a 10% discount for Lincoln City season ticket holders on match days when the season resumes, as well as same reduction for blue light badge holders and military personnel.
Later this month, a light bite menu will be introduced as food is served for the first time at the Plough Boy pub next door.
Sizzling Griddle is located off Burton Road in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Inside Sizzling Griddle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Sizzling Griddle is open Monday and Tuesday 8am-1pm, 8am-2pm Thursday to Saturday, and 9am-1pm on Sunday.
After these times people can order breakfasts or other items on the menu to eat at the Plough Boy pub between 6pm and 9pm.
Sizzling Griddle is located next door to the Plough Boy pub off Burton Road. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Inside the Plough Boy pub off Burton Road. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Meanwhile, at the Plough Boy pub’s open mic and comedy nights take place from 7pm on Thursdays and the Sunday quiz will resume in mid-July.
Whatsapp
