Two men from Skegness have been handed prison sentences following an alleged home invasion related to an outstanding drug debt. Lincolnshire Police received an alert on 27 February 2023 at approximately 21:30 GMT that an armed group of 12 to 13 individuals were attempting to gain unlawful entry into a Grosvenor Road residence. Upon arrival, officers discovered damage to the property, though the alleged targets had successfully fled the scene unscathed.
The two men, Paul Johns, 35, of Viking Drive, and Shane Tune, 40, of South Parade, both pleaded guilty to charges of affray at Lincoln Crown Court. Security footage showed the men arriving at the scene armed, as part of a group that included Tommy Gaskin Snr, 53, of Gainsborough. Gaskin Snr was recorded breaking windows using an axe before entering the property.
The police investigation, led by Detective Constable David Bettison, led to the capture of Tune and the collection of pivotal evidence for the case. Johns and Tune were consequently sentenced to one year and two months and 10 months imprisonment respectively. Having also pleaded guilty to affray, Gaskin Snr’s sentencing has been postponed to February of the following year, contingent on his fulfilment of a community order.
Detective Constable Bettison expressed the force’s obligation to protect the community from criminal activity, highlighting the significance of the arrests. The occurrence underscores the ongoing commitment of Lincolnshire Police to uphold peace and safety throughout the local area.
The original report of this story was sourced from www.bbc.com and subsequently adapted for The Lincoln Post.
