LOUTH'S Peter Hickman made a fine return to the British Superbike Championship at Knockhill yesterday.
As reported, the 27-year-old was back in the BSB paddock for Round Four of this year's competition, having signed a deal with the RAF Reserves Honda team for the remainder of the 2014 season.
After making a successful switch to road racing earlier this year for the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 events, 'Hicky' made an encouraging return to the circuit.
Following Friday and Saturday's practice and qualifying sessions, Hickman roared to an excellent 14th place finish in yesterday's race one – won by Ryuichi Kiyonari.
And he went one better in the second contest, coming home 13th in a race won by Shane 'Shakey' Byrne.
The British Superbikes action heads to Brands Hatch next, for Round Five on July 18-20.
Keep track of Hickman's progress with the Grimsby Telegraph.
A TALL task awaits Andy Murray as he prepares to begin the week he hopes will end with him retaining the Wimbledon title.
The 27-year-old has another Fred Perry record in his sights as he bids to become the first British singles player in 78 years to win back-to-back Wimbledon crowns - Perry did not defend his title in 1937 because he had turned professional.
Murray cruised through the first week, dropping just 19 games in wins over David Goffin, Blaz Rola and Roberto Bautista Agut, but his path to the trophy is treacherous.
Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic and probably Rafael Nadal lie in wait but first Murray must overcome the 6ft 8in Kevin Anderson.
The South African 20th seed will make his Centre Court debut this afternoon as he looks to reach the quarter-finals at a grand slam for the first time.
Anderson and Murray are occasional practice partners and the gentle giant made sure he did not miss Murray's big moment when he opened the tournament last week.
"It was great to see," said Anderson. "I got into the locker room and I think the TV wasn't on and I asked the guys to put it on.
"I think it's great to see the defending champ go out for the first time. It's an amazing tradition and something very special."
Murray and Anderson have shared their two previous meetings but the most recent of those came three years ago.
Despite his height, Anderson is a baseliner rather than a serve-volleyer and a decent mover.
Murray did not tailor his practice other than to have assistant coach Dani Vallverdu serve at him from the service line to mimic the angle the ball will be coming at him.
Anderson hopes nerves will not be too much of a factor after the stress of going out to play Fabio Fognini in his third-round match contributed to his back seizing up.
"It obviously means so much to all of us playing here at such a special tournament," he said.
"I'm in new territory right now. Hopefully in the years to come, once you've been here, it will be easier to go out and play those sort of matches.
"But throughout my career I've played more of the top guys and definitely feel more comfortable with it.
"It's one of those things where I think there will be more pressure on him than there is on me, so I can just relax a little bit more."
A GRIMSBY soldier who was heavily involved in training Afghan Security Forces has received an operational service medal.
Ashley Knight, 19, is one of around 300 soldiers from Lincolnshire who received the accolade, having served in the Second Batallion The Royal Anglian Regiment, also known as The Poachers.
The Poachers recruits from across East Anglia and the East Midlands and is based at Kendrew Barracks in Rutland.
It deployed for one of the final tours in Helmand in September last year, which saw it hand over the Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah and Patrol Base Lashkar Gah Durai to Afghan control.
Ashley said: "We were responsible for the force protection of the Main Operating Base Lashkar Gah.
"That meant protecting the camp while everything inside it was taken by helicopter or vehicle back to Camp Bastion.
"It was very hot and different to anything I had imagined and I experienced more than I expected to."
There to watch him receive his medal was his father David, himself an ex-soldier.
He added: "It's been a really good day and a proud moment to see him receive his medal.
"He's done a really good job, they went out and took the lead and were very professional. I'm extremely proud and I am glad they are all home safe."
Also on the parade was Second World War veteran Harry Bellamy, also from Grimsby, who presented members of the Drums Platoon with their campaign medals.
The 90-year-old served with the Sherwood Fosters and the 46th Lincolnshire Regiment as a territorial soldier.
He saw action in Monte Cassino before being captured at the Battle of Anzio, spending the last 14 months as a prisoner of war. The Commanding Officer of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Johnson, said: "It has been a great day here with our families at the parade and every single soldier can be proud of the job they have done.
"It has been an incredibly satisfying tour to close three bases without difficulties because the Afghan National Security Forces enabled us to do it.
"They are a competent, incredibly professional and capable security force. I asked more of them than they ever asked of me and they delivered every time."
The Poachers will take part in a homecoming parade in Cleethorpes on Wednesday, July 23.
MANCHESTER Airport is the latest organisation to air its views over the controversial plans to scrap the vital train link from Cleethorpes.
MPs Martin Vickers and Austin Mitchell, North East Lincolnshire Council, various local traders and almost 2,000 of you who have signed our petition are backing our campaign to keep the service.
As reported, The Department for Transport (DfT) began a consultation last week on the Northern and TransPennine franchises, as ministers consider how best to use £1 billion of investment across the network.
The government is examining the option of terminating the TransPennine Express service from Manchester at Doncaster with a replacement Sheffield to Cleethorpes service being operated by Northern Rail, possibly as an extension of the existing hourly Northern Sheffield to Scunthorpe service.
The proposals are part of what Rail Minister Stephen Hammond, who is soon set to visit the borough, describes as a "huge opportunity" to create a railway system fit for the 21st century.
But a Manchester Airport spokesperson says rail links such as the one from Cleethorpes are vital to their service.
He said: "Manchester Airport supports the development and provision of effective rail links to all parts of our catchment area and for the 24 million people that live within it.
"Passengers and businesses deserve good access to all parts of the UK, including access to major international gateways such as Manchester Airport.
"As our passenger numbers continue to grow, we are currently investing significantly in our 24 hour station to increase capacity, frequency and destination choice."
On Thursday, the Grimsby Telegraph, supported by major organisations in North East Lincolnshire, launched a huge campaign to get the public behind the local politicians in derailing this plan.
But we only have until August 18 when the consultation ends to make our voices heard.
We pledge to send any petitions, coupons and letters on your behalf to the government and those carrying out the consultation.
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), a trade union that protects the interests of train drivers, is also opposed to the controversial plans.
ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan said: "The Cleethorpes Manchester rail link is a vital connection between Humberside and one of the most important economic conurbations in the north of England, Greater Manchester. Retaining the service is crucial to economic growth and social mobility in Cleethorpes and Grimsby."
A FORMER Grimsby Telegraph work experience student has been rubbing shoulders with the sporting elite during a dream trip to Brazil for the World Cup.
Despite England's early exit, former Grimsby resident Lee Phelps is still in South America working as a freelance broadcaster with betting giant William Hill.
His trip has so far taken him to Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Natal, Porto Alegre and the capital Brasilia.
He has been spending time with BBC pundits including Robbie Savage, who is a William Hill sporting ambassador, travelling around the vast country.
He has watched the games between Brazil and Cameroon, Costa Rica and Italy, and Mexico and Cameroon.
And although he was not able to take in any England games, Lee has enjoyed the trip of a lifetime.
But the former Wintringham School and Franklin College student, who now lives in Leeds, was left disappointed by the performances of Roy's boys.
"We haven't been to any of the games, but we watched them all with the England fans," he said.
"I didn't expect much from them to be honest, but I have been really disappointed in their performances when you compare them to the likes of the USA. In fact I think the US team has overtaken England.
" A lot of the England fans I've spoken to are realistic and not too upset, although many have come out for the knockout stages and won't see England at all."
He said the trip had been an "amazing experience".
"The best fans and biggest followings have been the Aussies and US, but the colour and general atmosphere from all the fans has been amazing," he said.
"It's been an amazing experience flying up and down the country with 21 flights, stolen cars, torrential rain and flash floods, watching Brazil with a thousand locals and a Samba band and the endless sights of Rio: the Copacabana, Ipanema Beach, Christ the Redeemer and so on.
Lee's parents still live in Grimsby, near to King George V Stadium.
He worked for a time at the Grimsby Telegraph having completed a journalism post graduate course, but left to work for the Gainsborough Standard group before starting a broadcast career in radio and now TV.
STAFF and customers of a popular Indian restaurant in Waltham enjoyed an "amazing night" during the official launch of its upstairs restaurant.
As reported in March, Mumbai Blues was granted permission to extend into the first floor of its premises on the High Street.
The expansion has now been officially launched with a grand opening.
The capacity of the venue will now increase from 40 to 70 people, and will also create at least four new jobs.
The Grimsby Telegraph award-winning restaurant, which currently employs 11 people, was opened by brothers Jax and Naz Hussain in July 2012, and has proved extremely popular with customers.
Jax said: "The launch night was amazing. We had a number of diners attend and it was a really successful evening.
"About 65 people took advantage of our three-course meal at the opening, which was great just to say thank you to them all for their continued support.
"I'm incredibly excited to have the upstairs finally open. It's a great positive as we have had to refuse a lot of customers – we are a popular restaurant.
"Now we have got the extra seats and it's great to be able to take more people in.
"But reservations are still essential really as we are getting bookings from all over the place."
The new upstairs dining area seats around 30 people, and features a walk-through glass bar stocking premium wines and spirits.
It also includes a large oval table seating around eight people, which aims to offer customers a more personal dining experience, and in Jax's words, "bring your dining room to the restaurant".
Jax added: "We had been talking for a while about expanding and we thought this was the right time, so it's good to finally get under way.
"We are very busy and at weekends and for the majority of the week we are fully booked. On a Saturday night we would have to turn away, on average, 30 to 50 customers. The demand for a table is quite high.
"We are very excited about the expansion. We have got a really good team here and we are really pleased with the way things have turned out. We didn't realise it would be this popular."
Jax says the decor upstairs is more "opulent" than the "sleek" black and white colour scheme downstairs, which operates as Jaques' Bistro during the day.
PAUL Hurst wants to sign two more strikers before the start of the season – but is prepared to dip into the loan market later on if needs be.
The importance of bolstering Town's striking department is not lost on the boss, who has spoken to a number of targets about summer moves to Blundell Park.
Hurst told the Telegraph that he ideally wants to bring in two frontmen on a permanent basis.
But he also wouldn't rule down drafting temporary additions further down the line.
"Depending on who we were able to bring in and what type they are, I'd like to bring in a couple of strikers," he said.
"Two would be ideal, but if we have to start the season with only three – including Ross Hannah and Lenell John-Lewis – and bring in one on loan, then so be it.
"The loan market is certainly another option for us.
"Once teams get back and settle down, managers get their ideas and suddenly players that were expecting to be in the team are out of it because of a new signing or a change in formation.
"Sometimes good players, who you didn't expect to be available, can all of a sudden become available on loan. It's another option for us, without a doubt."
On the type of frontmen he's targeting, Hurst continued: "It would be nice to get strikers with experience, but at the same time, a lot can be said for bringing in a fresh and exciting youngster.
"I'm open-minded and I'm not going to dismiss certain players because they're not over 26 and haven't played 150 competitive games.
"It's just a case of what is available at the time and what fits best."
WORK on Grimsby's new £8.4-million leisure centre will begin this summer after the contract was awarded to an international construction and support services firm.
The Grimsby Telegraph can exclusively reveal the controversial new Cromwell Road facility will be built by Interserve Construction – which has pledged to complete the works in time for it to be open to the public by autumn 2015.
Projects it has previously been involved with range from the widening of Tolo Highway, Hong Kong to a new Research, Innovation, Learning and Development Centre for the NHS.
And now it will be leading the construction of the new centre, which will include a 25 metre, eight-lane swimming pool with learner pool, changing facilities, health and fitness suite with studio space and café.
NELC has also revealed more about the tender process for the deal, which was carried out in partnership with Cofely.
The move came after some questioned whether the quality and facilities at the new leisure centre would be scaled back in order to fit to the council's budget, due to the lengthy tender process.
However, NELC said this was not the case, adding it had produced a list of facilities and standards it would require from the winning contractor, before inviting firms to submit bids to carry out this work.
Councillor Mick Burnett, cabinet member for Leisure and Tourism, said he was delighted the contract for the building had been awarded and that work would soon be starting on the new facility.
"We know some people have been anxious about our proposals, but the fact is that this Council is one of the few in the country prepared to invest in new leisure facilities for our residents instead of just shoring up older centres, which just isn't sustainable in the long run.
"I'm confident what we will get is a fantastic facility for people of all ages, which I hope will also act as a focal point for community activities and also attract old and new visitors to North East Lincolnshire."
He added Interserve would be encouraged to use local contractors, to ensure local firms also benefited from the works.
He said: "We will also be having discussions with them about making the best use of the local labour force we have in the area, along with local training and supply chain opportunities to ensure residents and businesses also see the benefits during construction.''
John Gittins, divisional director of Interserve, added: "This isn't just another project for Interserve, it is a really exciting local leisure investment; the new centre in Cromwell Road will improve leisure provision and will also encourage participation.
"During the construction phase we will adopt a considerate approach as always to minimise disruption and keep all stakeholders updated in respect of project progress.
"We will also develop a bespoke plan to maximise local small and medium enterprise involvement and generate as many employment and training opportunities as possible to provide a real legacy for Grimsby and the surrounding area.
"There are now many leisure centres nationally that are expensive to operate and look tired – this new centre will be exemplary and efficient.
"We look forward to building a long term relationship with NELC."
Carl Roberts, partnership director for Cofely, added: "We are delighted a contractor has been appointed. We are now looking forward to starting work, working closely with the Council and Interserve Construction, to build a fantastic new facility that brings communities together and supports a healthier lifestyle for all".
GRIMSBY Town boss Paul Hurst has spoken to Connor Jennings' agent about bringing the striker back to Blundell Park.
Hurst has asked to be 'kept informed' of the situation surrounding the 22-year-old, who finished last season on loan with the Mariners.
Having been released by Scunthorpe United following their promotion to League One, the striker is believed be interesting a number of Football League clubs.
But Hurst told the Telegraph that if a move elsewhere wasn't to materialise, he would be interested in bringing him back to Cleethorpes.
He said: "I've had a conversation with Connor's agent and I think there is a lot of interest in him.
"His loan spell here might not have worked out as well as it did at Macclesfield for him, but I think people will have still seen glimpses of what he can do.
"The player would like to play in the Football League if that becomes a possibility and I was led to believe that there were a few Football League clubs considering him, so it depends whether or not that comes to fruition.
"I've asked to be kept informed of his situation and there would be interest on our part if he didn't move on to a higher level.
"Certainly in the discussions that I've had with his agent, he had nothing negative to say about a return here.
"But Connor has options and it's a case of finding out what he intends to do."
He continued: "I think Connor would say himself that the Town fans didn't see the best of him last season and in fairness to the lad, that was because he was just coming back from a serious injury.
"He started well but then picked up another, unrelated injury while he was with us, so it wasn't easy.
"There was a lot of expectation on him because of the amount of goals he scored at Macclesfield.
"If he'd have done the same with us, he'd have been moving to a League One or Championship club!
"But we certainly saw enough of him to know that there is a really good player there, but we'll have to wait and see.
"In saying that, you can only wait so long for players to decide – otherwise you miss out on the rest."
THESE next-door neighbours will soon be bidding farewell to one another after winning a life-changing £400,000 each.
Driving instructor Mark Kershaw and beauty therapist Helen Bradley were among the 61 residents of the DN31 2 area of Grimsby who scooped a share of £2million on the People's Postcode Lottery.
And the lucky pair are both planning to sell their homes in Cromwell Road in exchange for something slightly grander. Mark, 55, and Helen, 40, currently live in DN31 2BE – the full, seven-digit postcode chosen to receive the majority of the lottery's Postcode Millions payout.
"I doubt we'll be neighbours for much longer," laughed a visibly shaking Mark after being handed his cheque for £400,000.
"I just can't believe this has happened. I've been dreaming about what I would do if I won big but never really believed it would happen! I feel weak at the knees."
Father-of-two Mark, who was previously a financial advisor, attended the event with partner, technical operator Janet Smallwood, 55, and her daughter, Tanya Smallwood, 25, of Lord Street, who also took home £4,081.
He added: "I've only had my work car for two years so I won't be getting a new one for the learners to drive in!
"I'm going to wind down the business though, because now I'll be able to retire earlier than I planned.
"A new house will be the biggest thing I'm going to buy. I don't want anything extravagant, just somewhere with a bigger garden and a couple of extra bedrooms.
"And I'm going to buy Janet a car and treat myself to a new BMW motorbike."
Meanwhile, mum-of-four Helen, who is currently unable to work because of two slipped discs in her back, is planning to have a private operation to get her fighting fit and ready to spend her cash.
"I've lived next to Mark for 18 months and we get on really well but I had no idea that he played the lottery until I saw him here today," she said.
"He kept telling me our full postcode was going to come up but I didn't believe him.
"I still can't believe I've won, I'm absolutely over the moon.
"It means I can get out of debt for the first time in my life.
"I've always had to rent houses before but now I'm going to be able to buy one. I've already seen the house I want, it's on the Wybers estate where I grew up.
"I'd love a new car too, maybe a vintage Beetle, as I used to have one when I was younger.
"I'm going to take my kids to DisneyLand, pay for my friend to go to Dubai and my mum to go to California, and then maybe go somewhere myself to relax.
"But for now I'm going to keep drinking Champagne!"
The other 59 prizes, which were revealed to players within the DN31 2 postcode at a special event at People's Park on Saturday, ranged upwards from £4,081.
Winners were invited up on stage and given a golden envelope with the value of their prize hidden inside.
Both Helen and Mark were originally given cheques for about £40,000, but these were ripped up and replaced with ones for ten times the value when their full postcode was chosen as the overall winner.
Annemiek Hoogenboon, who founded the People's Postcode Lottery, said it was fantastic to be able to give life-changing sums to so many Grimsby people.
She added: "You never get bored of giving people their prize money because they're all different and all react in different ways.
"I think what's so fantastic is that it's all about people winning together and sharing in each other's success while raising money for charity."
As reported, to date, the People's Postcode Lottery has raised more than £43.3 million for charities.
A town councillor has resigned after being convicted for his involvement in a £5 million scam to defraud taxpayers.
Market Rasen town councillor David Strachan and his step-father, farmer Michael Wilmot, were involved in a large-scale scheme which saw huge quantities of red diesel being secretly sold on the black market for "back pocket" profits, a court heard.
During a trial at Hull Crown Court that involved several defendants, jurors were told that Strachan was the "backbone" of his town council and a member of many of its committees.
Now the defendant – who one colleague said was a "good councillor" – has tendered his resignation as he awaits sentence.
The court heard that Strachan, a driver, was stopped in vehicles that had red diesel in them and had a key to a barn where there were tanks for heavy goods vehicles.
Jurors were told that they looked as though they had normal fuel reservoirs, but actually the main tank was full of red diesel – an untaxed home heating fuel that is dyed red for identification.
Wilmot, 72, of Low Road, Osgodby, near Market Rasen, denied conspiracy to evade paying excise duty on Government-subsidised fuels between March 1, 2006 and March 30, 2012, and conspiracy to cheat Her Majesty's Revenue.
He was convicted by a jury after a long-running trial which began on April 24.
His stepson Strachan, 50, of Peak Mews, Market Rasen, was convicted of conspiracy to evade payment but cleared of conspiracy to cheat the Revenue.
Tracie Morton, 50, of Toft-next-Newton, near Market Rasen, and Michael Taylor, 38, of Waterloo Street, Market Rasen, were convicted of both offences.
Marion Tompkins, 57, of Little Tows, near Ludford, and Wilmot's cousin, Charles Trafford, 59, of Glebe Farm Cottage, Osgodby, were both cleared of both charges.
The prosecution claimed that Wilmot was the central figure in the scam and said that he made a "nice income tax-free" from selling large amounts of reduced-cost red diesel.
The prosecution had claimed that farmer Trafford sold "massive quantities" of red diesel to others, mainly Wilmot, through a network of companies that were used to front the scam.
Sentencing of the four defendants was adjourned to link up with another man who originally was due to face trial on a charge of cheating the Revenue but later pleaded guilty to a new charge.
John Raithby, 59, of Snitterby Road, Waddingham, admitted fraudulently evading payment of VAT.
"The defendants were all granted conditional bail.
Town council leader John Matthews said of Strachan: "What he was doing had nothing to do with council business.
"He was a good councillor."
British Transport Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the theft of a bike from Cleethorpes railway station.
The theft took place on Monday, 23 June, at around 2am.
PC Rachael Croft, investigating for BTP said: "A man was captured on CCTV entering the station and approaching the bike, which had been secured to the cycle rack on the main concourse.
"He then used an unknown tool to cut the cable lock on the bike and ride it away.
"The bike, which was owned by a 32-year-old local woman, was a black Muddy Fox duel suspension mountain bike.
"If you have been offered a bike matching this description in suspicious circumstances or recognise the man pictured we would like to hear from you."
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on Freefone 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting reference PSUB/B3 of 30/6/2014. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Two people remain in hospital after a car collided with a house in Louth.
The crash happened in Edward Street late on Friday night.
A 43 year-old woman, the occupant of the house, was taken by air ambulance to hospital in Coventry, where she is likely to remain for some weeks.
She has suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures and internal injuries.
Her 17 year-old daughter was less seriously injured.
A 24-year-old woman from Louth, who was a passenger in the Seat Leon, remains in Hull Royal Infirmary being treated for fractures.
The driver of the car, a 28-year-old man from Louth, and two passengers, (a 23-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman from Manby), have all been discharged from hospital.
Any witnesses to the incident who have not already spoke to police, should contact the Collision Witness Hotline on 01522 558855.
Two men were arrested after a break-in at a commercial site at Scartho Top.
Police were called following a call from a member of the public shortly after midnight today reporting an incident at a commercial site in Rinovia Drive.
Police quickly attended and four people were seen running from the site.
Officers from the dog and traffic sections joined the search and two men, aged 21 and 25, were arrested in connection with the incident.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested after a police officer was assaulted last night.
A speeding driver came to police's attention on the A180 near Stallingborough, at 10.40pm on Sunday.
After a short period of observing the black Audi Coupe, officers stopped and detained a man on suspicion of driving whilst over the prescribed limit, failing to stop and assaulting a police officer.
A 39-year-old man remains in police custody and is being questioned in connection with the above offences.
It is unknown how serious the officer's injuries are.
A group of travellers have set up camp on land off Weelsby Road in Grimsby.
Six caravans and a number of other vehicles have moved on to the Barrett's Recreational Ground.
The Grimsby Telegraph also understands that a separate group have been spotted in the lay-by between Healing and Great Coates.
It comes after a group of travellers who had set up camp on Grimsby's Scartho Top moved on last week.
As reported, the group of four to five vans arrived on the land off Matthew Telford Park, adjacent to the hospital gate, on Sunday, June 22.
On Thursday, North East Lincolnshire Council served notice on the travellers, ordering them to move on or appear before Grimsby Magistrates yesterday morning.
However, the group moved on before the hearing took place.
A number of residents raised complaints about their behaviour, following reports the group were using the site as a toilet and were also too noisy.
Firefighters were also called to extinguish a camp fire made by the group.
WHEN it comes to Grimsby Town's squad for 2014/15, it will very much be a case of quality, rather than quantity.
Boss Paul Hurst has stated that he's looking to assemble a squad of 21 players – including the three youngsters promoted from the Youth team at the end of the season.
Director John Fenty is working closely with Hurst to tie up the club's remaining transfer business before the start of the season on August 9.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Fenty admitted that Town have often carried 'too many' players in seasons gone by.
And he insisted that while the squad will be smaller in size this time around, there will certainly be no shortage in quality.
He told the Telegraph: "We will have a smaller squad this year and one hopes that will be a better squad than we had last year, with more quality.
"If we pick up injuries and the like, we'll dip into the loan market as and when we have to, but we will also be looking for the youngsters that we've retained to make a big statement this year.
"They are one of the cornerstones of our hopes for this season.
"We want to see some progression from those lads."
Town made an impressive start to their summer dealings with the captures of Scott Brown, Jack Mackreth and Toto Nsiala.
But while things may have gone quiet on the transfer front since those signings, Fenty has assured fans that plenty of work is going on behind the scenes.
And even after the remaining 'key signings' have been made, he said there will still be scope for some mid-season additions via the loan market.
He continued: "We've always kept a reserve for loan additions later in the season.
"But when all is said and done, it's clear that over the last couple of seasons, in some positions, we've had too many players and that can bring difficulties – even the manager has pointed to that, to some degree – it's a balancing act."
MORE tests are being carried out following the death of Grimsby brickwork company owner Wayne Jennings, an inquest has heard.
The 43-year-old died following an alleged assault near the Axe & Cleaver pub in North Somercotes.
Mr Jennings, of Bank End, in the village, had left the pub at around 4am on June 1, Lincolnshire coroner Stuart Fisher was told.
Although the preliminary cause of death was given as a head injury, further tests are being carried out by a Home Office pathologist.
Mr Fisher formally opened the inquest at Spilsby yesterday and heard port mortem examination evidence and details of the process of identification.
Mr Fisher recorded the facts that Mr Jennings died at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, Grimsby, on June 4.
He was formally identified by his wife, Julie Jennings, a complaints manager for a local organisation.
The inquest heard in a statement from Mrs Jennings that the couple had been together 22 years and married for 11 years.
They had a 12-year-old child.
Mrs Jennings said they were due to mark their 12th anniversary next month.
She said her husband was a bricklayer by trade and ran his own business in Grimsby.
Coroner's officer Andy Wardell said the deceased was among a group of people at the Axe & Cleaver pub.
He said: "The drinking went on into the early hours of the morning. Mr Jennings left the pub at about 4am and was subjected to an alleged assault, which resulted in him receiving a severe head injury. He died subsequently on June 4."
A post mortem examination was carried out the following day by Home Office pathologist Professor Guy Rutty, of Leicester Royal Infirmary.
The coroner's officer said a preliminary cause of death was given as a head injury, but the outcome of further tests are awaited until a final cause of death will be concluded.
Mr Wardell said a second post mortem examination was carried out on June 25 at the request of the legal representatives of Jareth Wadner.
As reported, South Somercotes caravan salesman Mr Wadner, 25, has been charged with manslaughter. He appeared at Lincoln Crown Court before Judge Michael Heath.
He had previously been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm following an incident in Jubilee Road, North Somercotes, in the early hours of Sunday, June 1.
Wadner, of Louth Road, South Somercotes, was granted conditional bail and was ordered to appear back before the Crown Court on September 12.
A 50-year-old woman, who was arrested in connection with the incident, was earlier released on police bail.
Mr Wardell said an investigation by Lincolnshire Police is ongoing.
Mr Fisher said he would adjourn the inquest pending further investigations into the matter.
MORE than 700 cannabis plants potentially worth about £460,000 were discovered at the home of the owners of Grimsby firm Mister Stevens Removals.
Husband and wife, Steven and Vanessa Howard, of Yarborough Road, Grimsby, have owned the firm for 28 years and employ up to 11 staff.
At Grimsby Crown Court Vanessa Howard, 49, said the business had been struggling for years and had to rent out its warehouses.
Steven Howard, 50, admitted cultivating cannabis and money laundering.
His wife of 25 years, admitted being concerned in cannabis growing and money laundering.
At a hearing in the crown court to settle the basis of plea for Mrs Howard, Judge David Tremberg warned Mrs Howard she risked immediate custody when the pair are sentenced next month.
He said she had been "caught red-handed" by police as she trimmed cannabis plants which had been hanging out to dry at their Yarborough Road home.
Other rooms in the home had washing lines ready for hanging more plants to dry.
In an outbuilding police officers found nearly 700 plants at various stages of growth.
A chest freezer contained 11 carrier bags filled with cannabis leaves.
Prosecuting, Zaiban Alam told how officers executed a warrant at the couple's home on May 22 last year and found plants in the kitchen and dining room.
There were 32 plants and officers found plant grinders and scales in the home.
A safe in the house contained £3,200.
When Mr Howard arrived home, he unlocked the garage where officers discovered the walls and windows were screened with silver linings.
A high-powered lighting system had been set up.
In the first section there were 235 plants of a medium to large size.
In the second section, which was split into two levels, there were 449 plants of a smaller size.
Miss Alam said the electricity supply had been bypassed.
She said the four harvests the plants had yielded would each have had a street value of £184,100.
She estimated a lowest level of value of each harvest would have been £115,000.
Over the period of time the prosecution said the crops were grown, between January 2012 and May 2013, there was a potential for four harvests, which would reap a total of £460,000.
GRIMSBY pro Kevin Hooper has landed a dream shot on TV.
The 29-year-old will fight Liam Walsh later this month (July 26) at the Manchester Arena, screened live on BoxNation.
It takes place on the undercard of the eagerly anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora.
Read more from the 'Super Hooper' camp in your Grimsby Telegraph.
