Residents on the same street as HMP North Sea Camp near Boston are questioning how the dangerous convicted sex offender Paul Robson, who absconded at the weekend, was even allowed in an open prison in the first place.
HMP North Sea Camp is a men’s open prison on Croppers Lane in Freiston near Boston. It is a category D prison for males over the age of 18, and over 100 prisoners have absconded from there in the last decade.
The latest to do so is Paul Robson, 56, who was given a life sentence for the attempted rape and indecent assault of a woman in Oxford in 2000, when he accessed her home through a cat flap.
Robson tied up his 23-year-old victim and put a pillow case over her head before sexually assaulting her at knife point. He had only been released from prison on licence three weeks before this attack at the turn of the millennium.
He was described as a “menace to females” at his sentencing hearing at Oxford Crown Court, and he had five parole requests refused before being moved to North Sea Camp on January 21 this year.
Less than a month later, on Sunday, February 13, he was reported missing after absconding from the open prison, and he is still missing days later, with police saying he “may be anywhere in the country” by now.
There is fear in the local community, as well as anger at how someone with a criminal track record like Robson’s was placed in a low category open prison, considering police comments that he poses a “real risk of causing significant harm” to members of the public.
Comments on social media in response to The Lincolnite‘s story on Robson were calling it “incompetence” from the Ministry of Justice, while many questioned the decision making of the parole board.
North Sea Camp is an open prison near Boston for category D criminals. It has been open since 1935. | Photo: John Aron for The Lincolnite
We went out to Frieston and spoke to Greg P *name withheld on request, 40, who lives technically as a neighbour to the open prison. He said that while the Paul Robson case has garnered national attention, it is far from the first time a prisoner has absconded from North Sea Camp.
Greg, who has been living in the area for over 20 years, told us: “When we heard about it on the news the immediate reaction was ‘oh another one’. You just get used to it sadly because it happens so frequently.
“Last summer I was out with one of my dogs and we found a prison absconder hiding in crops in our garden.
“It doesn’t worry me as such because I’ve got eight dogs to protect me, but if I were elderly, alone or female I would definitely feel differently.”
North Sea Camp has what’s known as a ‘resettlement unit’ to help prisoners integrate slowly back into society following their sentence. | Photo: John Aron for The Lincolnite
Discussing Paul Robson, Greg said: “He shouldn’t have been in there, and it just makes you wonder how many of the prisoners are like him, which is a shame because the whole situation also makes you think about how some of the honest rehabilitating prisoners feel about it all.
“Category D prisons should really mean less severe crime, but it normally ends up being people coming to the end of long sentences. I think he should be in a much higher security prison, I just hope he doesn’t do anything to anyone while he’s out.
“It’s natural to be fearful. My partner locks the doors much more often now and we never leave broken glass in the bin because we don’t want it to end up back in the prison.
“We put our guards up for a bit but then you gradually get back to normal, but all it takes is a case as big as this one to trigger those feelings again.”
Residents nearby have said they aren’t sure why Robson was allowed in an open prison. | Photo: John Aron for The Lincolnite
Another person living on the street, who asked to be kept anonymous, said they actually felt safer living nearby to the prison, because absconders wouldn’t stay nearby to the place they are escaping.
They told The Lincolnite: “I obviously understand the worry from the local community, this man should not be in an open prison in my opinion, but living closer is almost easier in a way, because you know anyone absconding will want to get as far away as possible.
“I moved here four years ago and knew about the prison when buying the house, so I’m perhaps less fearful than others. Plus I have big dogs to look after me should anything happen!”
Paul Robson has still not been caught by police. If you have seen him or know his whereabouts, officers are urging you not to approach him as he is “extremely dangerous”, and you should instead call 101 or 999 and quote incident 75 of February 13.
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A family-run jewellers with more than 50 years’ experience is relocating from Newark to open in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter next week.
Smiths The Jewellers was based on Balderton Gate in Newark for 18 years, but it will now move into the unit previously occupied by Oxfam at 26-27 Sincil Street.
The new shop will open at 10am on Saturday, June 4 and the business has collaborated with Chambers Florists, also of the Cornhill Quarter, to do a jubilee themed window display.
Smiths The Jewellers is a traditional family-run business selling a wide range of jewellery, both new and pre-owned, as well as buying unwanted and broken jewellery. The shop will also offer services such as repairs, alterations and valuations.
The four employees will move over to the new shop and two new jobs have also been created.
Business owner Sonya Smith is the third generation of a family of jewellers and she told The Lincolnite: “We had some amazing customers in Newark, and also who travelled from Lincoln. We are excited to be opening in Lincoln.
“The Cornhill Quarter is vibrant and such a nice place to be and will allow us to expand. We are a great family business with a lot of loyal followers.”
The trial of a Skegness woman who denies causing the death of Nottingham Trent University student Hope Starsmore by dangerous driving has been put back until next year.
Rebecca Porter, 33, of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, was due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27. Her trial was expected to last four days.
However a pre-trial hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was today (Friday) told more time is needed to gather evidence from expert witnesses.
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Ms Porter her trial would now be listed at Lincoln Crown Court on April 17 next year.
Granting Ms Porter unconditional bail Judge Sjolin Knight explained to her: “Unfortunately there is very little realistic prospect of this trial being ready for June 27.
“I know that is difficult for you. I am sure it is also difficult for the family of the lady who was killed.”
At a previous hearing in October last year Porter pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Ms Starsmore on October 7, 2020 by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Ms Starsmore was rushed to hospital after a collision in Skegness Road, Burgh le Marsh, at around 8.15am on Wednesday, October 7.
Despite multiple operations, doctors were unable to save her and she died eight days after the crash.
Ms Starsmore had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic.
Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study. She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week.
She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and received minor injuries.
Despite having moved to the Lincolnshire seaside, Hope had grown up in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Porter will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27 for a further pre-trial hearing.
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