Custodial sentence for Spalding man following breach of closure order
56-year-old jailed after exploiting a vulnerable tenant.
A man has been sentenced to five months in prison after repeatedly breaching a Partial Closure Order at a property in Spalding.
Andrew Searle, 56, from Pinchbeck Road, was arrested and appeared in court after visiting the address on Oak Court 11 times within a month despite being prohibited by the order.
The closure order was secured following evidence of 'mate crime' by South Holland District Council and the police, who worked together with partner agencies to safeguard the vulnerable resident.
Searle has also been given a Restraining Order until April 2028, forbidding him from contacting the victim or visiting Oak Court.
Sergeant Callum Corder praised the partnership between local agencies and the community in protecting vulnerable individuals, highlighting the crucial role local people play in reporting concerns.
Councillor Tracey Carter commended the collaborative work of the council's Housing and Safer Communities teams and partner agencies in achieving a positive result in the case.
'Mate crime' involves exploiting a vulnerable person under the guise of friendship, often leading to financial, physical, and emotional abuse.
Community members are urged to report concerns about crimes, anti-social behaviour, or safeguarding issues through appropriate channels to aid crime prevention efforts.
For more information and ways to report concerns, visit the Lincolnshire Police website or contact anonymously via Crimestoppers.