THE mother of three of Adam Vincent's killers has been cleared of intimidating a key witness in the aftermath of their trial.

Linda McLernon, 49, of Wickenby Close, Grimsby, had been charged with threatening key prosecution witness Graham Goodwin, 52, in the street on July 9, knowing that he had given evidence in the trial.

It was claimed she had told him he was "a dead man walking" for his role in helping to secure the convictions of her former partner Lee Griffiths, 44, their sons Thomas, 23, and Luke, 20, of Southfield Road, Scartho, and her son from her first marriage, Mark Jackson, 28, of Wickenby Close, Grimsby.

In January all four men were found guilty of the murder of 33-year-old Adam following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

Matthew Frow, of a different address on Southfield Road, was found guilty of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent and all five men were convicted of perverting the cause of justice, in relation to the dismemberment and disposal of his body. However, it took the jury in Miss McLernon's trial just 11 minutes to return an unanimous not guilty verdict, which was greeted with tears of relief by both she and her supporters in the court.

Miss McLernon told Grimsby Crown Court she still maintains that her sons and former partner did not kill Mr Vincent and described the last 18 months as "horrendous".

She said that not a day went by without her thinking how unlikely it was she would ever see her children released from prison, adding that she visits all three of her sons and Lee Griffiths on a regular basis.

She even claimed that it was she who had been taunted about the outcome of the trial in the street by Mr Goodwin – who had previously been a friend of the family for at least 20 years – an allegation he denies.

When approached by the Grimsby Telegraph following the hearing, she said she was too distressed to speak about the case and that she now wished to be "left alone" by all connected to it.

Today, the court of appeal is due to give a verdict on an appeal lodged by Thomas, Luke and Lee Griffiths and Jackson, to have their minimum prison sentences reduced.

See www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk later today and tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for the outcome.

IT has been a strange year on the sea angling front.

On some tides anglers have done quite well, while on other occasions if you get a single bite you have been lucky.

I was down on the Humber Bank wall last week and there were six anglers and not one had a bite.

I personally think that there is more silt in the river at the moment and this could be putting the fish off.

The leads are really sinking hard into the sea bed.

Then, on another tide there will be several cod caught and they will be of a decent size.

Last Sunday there were good numbers of cod caught all the way along the wall, ranging from a couple of pounds up to around 9lbs.

It does not matter on the bait, with the cod taking either fresh or frozen baits when they are in the mood.

Even the Creek at Humberston, which should be full of flatfish at this time of year, is failing to produce.

Top flattie angler Jack Barlow never had a bite in a four-hour session.

Usually this time of year you tend to get the bigger flounders.

On the boats, there have been some good double-figured cod caught, these seem to be coming more on the flood.

Last weekend, Tony Hogg landed a nice cod of 14lb, but lost a monster of a fish that snapped his 25lb hook length. Although they were strong tides last weekend, the fish would still have to be very big to do that.

After all, Hogg has been fishing for years and has got a vast knowledge and experience on how to handle a fish and play it properly.

This weekend there should be a decent amount of boats going out and, with the tide fairly low, it will not restrict the anglers to where they can fish.

On to the Humber Sea Angling Club and I received a funny report from club chairman Nigel Crabtree.

With reference to the recent sightings of big cats, he reports that: "You will be pleased to know that no anglers were eaten while taking part in the latest match on the Humber Bank wall. Also, there were no sightings of any lynx , pumas, lions or tigers – or even any big moggies."

Tom Howard won the match with two fish – one of them being a cod of 6.7lb. This made the bulk of his total weight of 6.14lb.

Next in was John Gore, who could only find flatfish. He had five, including the biggest one of the night – a 33cm flounder. Gore had a total weight of 3.5lb. Next in was Adie Cooper with four fish for 2.9lb.

The next match is tomorrow at the Woods. Meet on the waste ground at 10.15am. Fishing from 11.30am until 3.30pm. Everyone is welcome, all qualifiers are guaranteed a prize.

I went fishing last weekend and had a brilliant day. Most boats caught cod, but some were reporting a very slow start and the majority of cod were caught on the flood.

The strong tides certainly thin out the fish, but the quality of the cod in a strong tide tests the angler and the quality of his tackle.

THE chance to fish the main lake attracted me to Saltfleetby Fisheries for an open match.

It is deep, has a fantastic head of carp and silver fish – and other monsters lurking in the depths.

There was a good attendance, including some quality anglers.

Bill Marsh used his knowledge and experience to outwit a very large fish.

Bearing in mind he would have been using thin line on a light feeder rod, the reel was screaming with line tearing off the spool.

The rod was bending to its limit, as the fish made lunges into the deeper water. It came to the surface but it was not a large carp as expected – but a huge pike that should have bitten through Bill's line.

Somehow that did not happen, but there was another problem. It would not fit into Bill landing net at first.

Eventually, it did squeeze in.

It weighed in at an impressive 13.7lb. Unfortunately it did not count in the match as pike do not qualify.

But well done to Bill, he showed great angling skills to land the fish and it certainly increased the heart-beat.

On to the match, and Lee Popham and Mally Frost were battling it out on the bomb, casting towards the houses. They were both catching and losing carp.

I was near the café and went on the day with the intention of fishing light for silvers until I drew my peg. The heavier elastics came out, and also the stronger rigs.

I lost a float on the sunken branches, then lost a decent fish that did not want to come up at all. Then I had a hook snap on a fish. I thought it was going to be one of those days.

A good last hour saved me and I managed 25lb, enough to take second place. Popham was streets ahead with 44lb and Frost was third with 24.12lb.

It was also the end of the league that has been running at the fishery throughout the year.

The magician from Market Rasen, Mark Critcher, was well in front of the rest of the field. He had 135 points and this netted him £100.

Lloyd Lakin was second with 83 points (£75), and then Marsh finished with 70 points.

Over at Wold View, Claxby, there was a match on the Bronze Lake. Chris Legdon was on peg 19 and he managed to find the carp as others struggled. He finished up with 23lb. Steve Chandler was second with 19lb off peg four. Alex Ward on one of his favourite pegs managed to land 15lb of carp.

Tim Chapman had an excellent day at Oasis Fisheries, North Somercotes.

He was fishing the roadside lake and had carp up to 9lb on the bomb. He amassed a very good weight for this time of year – 67lb. Other anglers who were there also had decent catches. It seems that this fishery is a good winter venue.

June saw Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell slapped around the face with a fish and more than £1 million of cocaine removed from the streets. And there was the small matter of an Olympic Torch. Here is our next installment of the 2012 Review of the Year.

JUNE 1: A quick-thinking tanker driver averted a potential disaster after yobs threw a tyre from a bridge to the road below. It was the action taken by Gary Markham, which he says prevented his 39,000-litre tanker – full of fuel – from crashing and exploding under the railway bridge which runs across Peaks Parkway.

JUNE 4: We reported how a downpour washed out the area's Diamond Jubilee events, but that spirits remained high and North East Lincolnshire celebrated like royalty.

JUNE 5: A stone plaque and fountain commemorating a royal visit that went missing 12 years ago were discovered in the basement of a block of high-rise flats. The Fishermen's Mission recovered the artefacts from Tennyson House. The foundational stone was laid by Princess Mary in 1925, when she opened the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen in Riby Square. The fountain was erected there in memory of Mrs O T Olsen, the then local honorary secretary of the mission.

JUNE 7: Friends of disabled pensioner Eddie Hindle were "sickened" after his home was burgled just days after he died. The 74-year-old retired chief ship's engineer – who was the victim of a brutal assault two years ago by thieves – died following a short illness. Electrical equipment and food were stolen.

JUNE 8: Bank staff prevented a woman from being conned out of £6,500 to clear "toxic waste" from her garden. The canny counter staff at Nationwide in Grimsby's Victoria Street alerted North East Lincolnshire Trading Standards officers after the elderly woman arrived to draw out the large amount of cash. When the conmen returned to collect the money, they found Humberside Police waiting for them and were arrested.

JUNE 9: MORE than £1 million worth of cocaine was seized from a ship at Immingham Docks. The 20kg haul of drugs was found hidden in one of the vessel's tanks.

JUNE 12: He's the Codfather! Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell showed his fun side when he agreed to be slapped round the face with a 5kg cod for St Andrew's Hospice. It was all part of the publicity for the hospice's Big Fish Lottery, which helps raise much-needed funds for the Grimsby facility.

JUNE 14: A retired ambulance driver who was punished for driving through a red light as he took a pregnant woman to hospital told how he would do it again. Christopher Edwards said he was shocked that the matter had been taken to court – and that magistrates had given him three penalty points – given the circumstances. The mother-to-be, the niece of a neighbour, needed help after loosing blood.

JUNE 15: Police uncovered a cannabis factory containing 320 plants at a home in St Nicholas Drive, Wybers Wood. The upper floor had been transformed into five growing areas.

JUNE 16: More than £30,000 was donated to good causes in memory of Grimsby fishing industry legend John Ross MBE. The latest batch of cheques from the John Ross MBE Community Trust Fund saw £7,000 donated in one day to local charities, and the donations continued throughout the year.

JUNE 19: A babysitter accused of murdering his girlfriend's six-month-old baby, Ethan Hopson, shook and violently hit the tot because he was angry at being disturbed while texting, a court heard. Following his trial, Jason Redgrave was later jailed for eight years after being found guilty of manslaughter, in December 2011.

JUNE 20: A Cleethorpes clearance firm was ordered to pay £6,000 after illegally dumping a whole kitchen at the side of the road.

JUNE 25: The Armed Forces Weekend left veterans "flooded with pride" as thousands lined the streets to show support for our heroes past and present.

JUNE 27: The Olympic Torch lit up Grimsby's Dock Tower as the borough had its moment to shine during the Olympic Torch Relay. Proud torchbearers carried the flame through the area on a route which took two days to complete.

JUNE 30: Almost five years to the day that North East Lincolnshire was flooded by torrential rainfall, it happened again. Heavy storms caused chaos as drainage systems became overwhelmed. Properties and classrooms were flooded and roads became submerged.

SANTA is not the only person delivering gifts this Christmas as Ofsted praised to two schools.

North Thoresby Primary and Utterby Primary schools started their festive holiday in style, as a report by inspectors rated their standards as "good".

The schools, which are led as a federation by an executive head teacher, received positive comments about the quality of teaching and attendance rates.

The leadership and management of both schools were also rated as good.

Pupils have explained what they enjoy the most.

Lucy Oakley, a Year Two student at North Thoresby Primary School, said: "I like learning maths the most."

Charlie Croft, a pupil in Year Five, said: "It is really good at this school because the teachers are always there when you need them."

Daniel Wells-Waller, of Year Six at Utterby, said: "It is the best school because it is so small and you get to know everyone. I have lots of friends here and the teachers make learning fun."

Alex Tennant, a Year Three student, said: "I love this school, we get to learn lots of things."

Within the report are recommendations from inspectors on how they can progress to outstanding – such as further raising standards in reading, writing and mathematics and by developing a more prominent and effective role for subject leaders and governors.

Executive head teacher Sarah Hall said: "The reports confirm that small village primary schools can and do provide a good quality education for their local communities.

"Ofsted continues to raise the bar and with a strong, committed team of staff, parents and children we had the opportunity to show the inspectors how hard we work and how good we are.

"We will continue on our journey to providing the best opportunities we can for everyone at the two schools and feel excited about our current conversion to academy status with Academies Enterprise Trust early in the new year."

WHAT a special way to remember lost loved ones this Christmas.

That is the message from fundraisers at Grimsby's St Andrew's Hospice, who are giving one last push towards their annual Light Up A Life campaign.

Backed by the Grimsby Telegraph, the aim is for people to make a small donation to the charity in memory of those no longer with us.

This year's campaign has so far seen hundreds showing their support and as a result, more than £22,000 has already been raised.

This money helps the Hospice, in Peaks Lane, offer support to individuals and families, such as Laura Taylor.

This inspirational woman will be remembering her six-month-old daughter Grace during Christmas.

Grace died from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in August.

Laura was adamant that she was not to be left in a mortuary until her funeral and so the hospice provided a specially designed room for her body to rest in.

Help like this at such a devastating time is what inspired Laura and her partner Paul Taylor to raise money for the hospice.

Through a Christmas fair held earlier this month, they raised more than £1,000.

Laura said: "I cannot put into words just how much the hospice helped us during that time.

"It was such a simple thing that meant the world to us, and for that I want to continue supporting them and raise awareness of the work it does.

"Grace will always be a cherished memory and I am glad that we were able to donate this money in her honour."

The hospice is grateful for the couple's acknowledgement and alongside its Light Up A Life campaign the money will be put towards great use helping many people.

Lynne Lemon, community fundraiser for St Andrew's Hospice, said: "We are very grateful to everyone who has already contributed to the appeal and who have held events of their own.

"Our combined annual running costs for the hospice are in the region of £3 million, so support is vital.

"It is not too late to contribute to the appeal and make each day count for so many families.

"As well as end-of-life care we offer respite care, day care, complementary therapy, family support and much more."

For more information about the hospice and the appeal, call 01472 350908.

MARKET Rasen's traditional Christmas mime was a very moving event – in both senses of the word.

The event, which takes place in the market town every four years, was put together by the combined churches and directed with great compassion by David Young.

The programme said the mime would "bring the nativity to life" and it did, despite a downpour that began shortly before the start and ended as it finished.

Despite that, the large crowd that assembled in front of the market place auction shed, huddled under umbrellas throughout, were captivated by the actors who brought great dignity to the event.

This was a community event with the shops clustered around the cobbled square united in their support.

The square was silent from start to finish, save for the rain, as the moving story was told with words wonderfully clear through an amplified system. There was no singing just background music supplemented by handbells.

Geoff Handford and Jenny Atkinson were the narrators but, apart from them, nobody spoke – they did not need to. Mike Eckersley, as the Angel Gabriel, began the story and there was wonderful expression conveyed by Brian Burns as Joseph and Tracey Burns as Mary.

They were led to the stable by Cash the donkey, brought all the way from his seaside home at Ingoldmells for his lead role.

There is a natural set for this production in Market Rasen market place and so, when Joseph knocked at the door of the inn – the Aston Arms in this case – he was politely told by the innkepper John Fox that there was "no room tonight".

The scene moved on to the manger, the town's auction shed, almost next door.

The shepherds arrived and then, with dignity, the three wise men, played by Quin Hough, Mike Maw and David Islip.

So good and moving was the 2012 Market Rasen Christmas mime, it seems a pity that we will have to wait until 2016 for a repeat.

A GRIEVING pensioner's smile returned when she was handed a festive gift from the Artie White Foundation.

Miriam Catley, 78, is among 12 deserving people to benefit from the charity's Grimsby Telegraph-backed 12 Days Of Christmas campaign.

Miriam, of Chester Place, Cleethorpes, was nominated by her sister-in-law Ann Woodford, who wanted to thank her for her dedication to Dennis, her brother and Miriam's husband, who died in November.

Dennis had Parkinson's disease and diabetes but his death was sudden, leaving Miriam too grief-stricken to want to celebrate Christmas.

"He had been poorly for quite a while but his death was very sudden and traumatic," said Miriam through tears.

"I thought 'I can't be bothered with Christmas' but now I feel differently. The hamper is such a lovely surprise and the pick-me-up I needed."

Dennis suffered with Parkinson's, a degenerative disease which effects the central nervous system, for 13 years and Miriam was always at his side.

Ann said: "She did such a great deal for my brother, he had been ill for such a long time but she looked after him throughout.

"She has a heart of gold and is so deserving of this."

Although the pain of her husband's death is still very raw, the gift of an Artie White hamper has made her, for the first time, look forward to Christmas with her family.

Miriam said: "They have done wonders. I cannot thank the Artie White Foundation enough.

"It is brilliant."

PAUL Hurst believes his Grimsby Town side has the potential to be even better in the New Year as they prepare to enter the second half of their season.

Last night's game against Wrexham was Town's 23rd this season, meaning that the Mariners are exactly half-way through their Blue Square Bet Premier campaign.

It's been a solid start to the season that has seen the Mariners reach the top spots and establish themselves as genuine promotion contenders.

The Town joint boss said: "The lads have done very well so far but, as it stands, we're only halfway and there is a hell of a long way to go.

"We are in a good place at the minute and the players all recognise that.

"We spoke earlier in the season about trying to get that swagger about us, not arrogance, but inner confidence and self-belief and we really feel that we're starting to get that.

"Looking back to last year, we have definitely moved on from where we were and that's a credit to the players.

"The players know how we work and we've got that mentality into the players.

"At times, even when they've won a game, they're not completely happy if they haven't performed to the levels that they feel they should, and that's pleasing to us."

Despite the start to the season, Hurst knows that his squad have achieved nothing yet and has challenged his side to realise their potential in 2013.

He added: "Even with where we are in the league, we still feel that we could have had more points on the board at the half-way point as we've had some good performances.

"We've got to maintain standards and keep striving to be better in the second half of the season – we certainly still feel we can improve both as a club and as a squad.

"We're right in the mix and it's been a good first half to the season but we're only halfway there."

"EVERYBODY in North East Lincolnshire is only two steps away from needing our help."

That was the stark message from Harbour Place Day Centre as it served up Christmas dinner to the homeless and deprived.

While many people will be hoping for new phones, laptops and toys next week, there are many people who will wish for nothing more than a hot meal and a roof over their head – which they can get at the centre in Albert Street, Grimsby.

Project director Allen Young, said: "Everybody in North East Lincolnshire is only two steps away from needing our help. It could be a divorce or a redundancy, but people no longer have savings to fall back on. The number of people in this situation is really becoming quite alarming.

"We've been working very closely with the local authorities to try to prevent people from having to sleep rough.

"The Government has a scheme called 'No Second night out' which aims to prevent people from having to sleep rough.

"I got a call from the police at 6.15am this morning after they'd found a gentlemen in his late 40s sleeping rough outside a shop in Cambridge Street.

"We've now taken him to an interview and managed to get him into accommodation so that he won't be sleeping on the street and he's now here enjoying a Christmas dinner. We will be working with him for quite some time now and hopefully we will be able to help him get his life together."

Over the next two weeks, the centre is expecting to serve more than 500 meals as well as providing people in need with fun Christmas activities, such as bingo and giving out prizes.

John Short, 50, who has been going to the centre since it opened, said: "Everyone is so helpful to the local homeless people. "The place won an award for best charity a few years ago and they really deserved it. The people here are so brilliant; they helped me find my flat and really got me on my feet"

Karen McCall, 46, also enjoyed her Christmas dinner.

"It's nice to know that if there is no food in the cupboard, we'll always be welcome here," she said. In the past year the centre has had a 20 per cent increase in the number of people who come for the food and hygiene facilities that they provide.

Although the number of homeless people in the area is increasing, thanks to the work the centre does with local authorities they are able to take these people off the street and offer them food, help them to find accommodation and give them training and encouragement to get into employment.

This year the number of families struggling to find the money to give their children food and gifts is higher than ever.

The centre offers advice on finances and debt to anyone who is struggling.

Allen thanked generous local churches, schools, industries and private individuals who have donated large amounts for Christmas to Harbour Place, including the Brackenborough and Ashbourne Hotels.

"We also want to thank the Wheatsheaf who gave us a generous donation of around £650. Many local people have been very good to us this year and we are so grateful," he said.

A PLAN which could have seen up to 149 new homes built in Louth has been refused.

Taylor Wimpey Ltd's application for outline planning permission on land adjoining Fulmar Drive was turned down by the district council's planning committee because of concerns about traffic and drainage issues.

Louth councillors Jill Makinson-Sanders and Laura Stephenson both said traffic problems at Brackenborough Road, Victoria Road and Keddington Road junction would be exacerbated by the development.

They also raised concerns about a proposed drainage scheme, which would see surface water being directed into Louth Canal, through land that already floods during periods of heavy rain.

Local residents Andy Wood and Simon Tighe also voiced their objections to the plans because of similar issues.

Mr Tighe said: "I urge you to reject this proposal. Let us, the local community, and our elected councillors decide on Louth's housing strategy, not the greedy housing companies."

Access to the site was proposed to be from two positions, forming a new junction between Fulmar Drive and Kestrel Drive and if approved the development would have provided around 45 affordable homes.

Roger Smith from Savills, representing Taylor Wimpey Ltd, said: "Louth is a sustainable location. We acknowledge there are local objections, however, those objections are not shared by the relevant statutory consultees.

"We believe this is a great opportunity to secure a high quality housing scheme for the town."

The application had been recommended for approval by planning officers.

ELDC's planning team leader Chris Panton told members that concerns raised about traffic and drainage issues were not supported by the technical experts who had been consulted.

Lincolnshire County Council Highways, the Environment Agency and Anglian Water all put forward mitigation measures which they felt would tackle any concerns.

However, Councillor Makinson-Sanders, said: "I don't think what's been put forward mitigates.

"Brackenborough Road must be one of the most dangerous roads in Louth.

"Everything is against this application on traffic grounds, I don't know how you can build up a case in favour of it."

Councillor Steve O'Dare said he was "on the cusp of supporting the application" as it was for outline planning permission at this stage and the issues raised would be addressed when the full plans were brought back.

The application was, however, rejected with 12 in favour of refusal and just one against.

"YOU ought to be spending time helping your wife – not sitting on walls drinking and damaging other people's property".

That was the advice of a Grimsby Crown Court judge to a Cleethorpes man who admitted growing cannabis and stealing an extractor fan from an empty property.

Prosecuting, Simon Waley said that a police raid on his property on August 17 had revealed that father-of-two Paul Burns, 32, of Daubney Street, had been using the loft to grow cannabis for his own use, as it "helped" his mental health issues.

A total of 24 plants of varying sizes were discovered – though an estimated yield had not been calculated by police – together with a "tennis ball-sized" bag of herbal cannabis and ten "wraps" which he used to take the drug out with him.

Mr Waley also told the court that Burns had been convicted of stealing an extractor fan from a Blundell Avenue property – which was being renovated for the rental market – after blood found at the scene matched his DNA.

He added that in stealing the fan, £500 of damage had been caused to the house.

Mitigating, Andrew Bailey said Burns made an effort to ensure his two young children did not know what was going on in terms of his drug use.

He added that he had been cajoled into entering the Blundell Avenue property after he and a friend had been drinking on a wall outside it and noticed a stained glass window had been smashed.

It had been their intention to go in to "simply chill".

Recorder Felicity Davies said: "This was an absolutely stupid offence.

"Instead of going out and getting drunk, you should be at home helping your wife look after two small children.

"It's also extremely stupid to grow cannabis in your own home – it goes beyond stupidity that you do this when this home is shared by your wife and small children.

"You say you use it to try to help your mental condition.

"That in itself is stupid, as cannabis can cause mental health issues, never mind helping them."

He was given a 12-month community order, with a four month curfew.

A CHARITY fell victim to "mindless" thieves who stole from them while disabled clients were putting on a Christmas pantomime.

The Rock Foundation, which provides opportunities for people with physical and mental disabilities, held its Christmas pantomime on Wednesday evening.

However, while they were putting on the performance, three men stole the banner from outside their base on Elliston Street – which was originally donated by Asda but will cost them in excess of £140 to replace.

It was found at the end of Wellington Street – barely 100 metres away – but the corners were ripped so it is no longer usable.

Rock Foundation founder Pam Hodge said: "It is a real shame that some people had to ruin what was a wonderful evening for everyone who attended, and the most frustrating thing was that it was totally mindless. There was nothing to gain from taking that banner.

"We are a well-known charity and it is the people who we help that will foot the bill for this mindless crime, as the money it will cost to replace the banner would be better spent on them."

The charity reported the crime to Humberside Police and even has CCTV footage of the three criminals who took the banner.

They have not yet been visited by an officer, but a police spokesman said they do intend to investigate, and added: "The sign was pulled from the metal bars and was found, damaged, at the end of the road.

"An officer will be contacting the charity and visiting to view the CCTV footage of the incident."

However, Mrs Hodge believes contact should have been made before now.

She said: "We were just given a crime reference number and it seemed like that was it for the police. We have CCTV footage but no one has even come to see it."

The Rock Foundation has this month donated more than 2,000 gifts to families in need from the local area via nearby organisations such as the YMCA and Harbour Place.

Mrs Hodge added: "It is frustrating because we have done so much for the area this Christmas and the people who did this probably know someone we have helped – or have even been helped themselves by our gifts.

"We have done so much this year which is why it is so upsetting."

If you have any information about the crime, contact Humberside Police on 101, quoting reference number 1948356.

Comment and see the CCTV footage at www.this isgrimsby.co.uk.

ROSS Hannah said he wanted a goal and three crucial points before last night's promotion tussle against Wrexham – and he delivered to earn exactly that.

Grimsby Town's top scorer – in the final game of his loan spell from Bradford – popped up with the winner, 12 minutes from time.

Hannah was recalled to the side alongside Scott Neilson, who also played the final game in his loan from Crawley.

With Shaun Pearson ruled out through illness, Ian Miller deputised at centre-half once again while Aswad Thomas shook off the Achilles injury that kept him out of the FA Trophy win over Havant and Waterlooville to reclaim the left-back spot, with Bradley Wood dropping to the bench.

In front of a bumper Blundell Park crowd, the game started brightly and, just as they had last Saturday, Town nearly grabbed an early goal – but Hannah could not connect with Thomas' chipped cross.

The loanee then drove wide minutes later after good work from Cook as the hosts continued to press.

The Mariners had a decent shout for a penalty less than a minute later when Neilson found Craig Disley in the box, who tried to roll his marker and fell to the turf, however, referee Joyce was unmoved and ignored raucous appeals from the home fans.

The Welsh side were forced into an early change when player/manager Andy Morrell limped off with only a quarter of the game gone to be replaced by Adrian Cieslewicz.

But the stoppage didn't stem Town – Marshall showed good pace to beat Ashton to the ball before whipping in an inviting ball to Cook in the box but it just evaded the frontman. They quickly won the ball back and Neilson was found on the opposite flank but, again, no-one in a black and white shirt could get on the end of his cross.

At the other end, with almost 20 minutes gone, former Premier League striker Brett Ormerod lifted on to the roof of James McKeown's net with a headed effort and, minutes later, the Town keeper did well to cut out a dangerous ball to Cieslewicz as the visitors began to find their rhythm.

But Town responded well, and Cook won yet another header to find Marshall but his tame, side-footed effort was gathered easily by Joslain Mayebi.

Wrexham almost hit Town on the break, but Pond did well to recover and delay the attack.

The Fleetwood loan man was called into action again minutes later and produced an inch-perfect tackle to deny Ormerod as the former Blackpool man looked to profit from a stumble from Miller.

The Dragons' patient and purposeful possession was beginning to pull the Mariners around and after another well-constructed attack, Sam Hatton was forced to hook out of his own six yard box as the visitors looked to profit as a tight first half came to an end.

Town came out strongly and won only their first corner of the game after four minutes of the restart, but Neilson couldn't connect properly with his half volley and Wrexham cleared their lines.

Good work from Scott Neilson won Town another corner, Pond collected the delivery at the far post and showed good feet to lose his marker and whip in a superb cross that was cleared over.

But with Town pushing forward, when that corner was cleared, Wrexham looked to catch the hosts on the break and pumped the ball forward to Cieslewicz but Niven did well to get back and cut out the chance.

At the other end, Wrexham could have broken the deadlock but Ormerod could not quite reach Keates' far post cross with the goal at his mercy.

The game was becoming more and more stretched – Hannah raced clear and looked to find Cook at the far post but Mayebi gathered, while at the other end, Jonny Hunt side-footed over as the clock ticked past the hour mark.

When Neilson was found by Thomas, the Crawley man returned the favour in the box, but Thomas took the ball on the half-volley and hammered into the side netting with Cook and Hannah well placed in the middle.

Cook got up well again to nod down to Hannah who played in Neilson but his shot was deflected over while, what becoming a sustained spell of Mariners' pressure Pond chased a lost cause and backheeled the ball to the winger but his efforts to find Cook were snuffed out.

Town were determined to make that pressure tell and when Disley found Thomas free on the left-hand side, he skipped past his man quared to Hannah, who couldn't miss. The Bradford striker does what he does best and slotted the ball home from less than six yards out to send the Pontoon into raptures.

Backed by a now buoyant crowd, Town were not giving their title rivals a minute's rest – Mayebi flapped at a cross and Cook showed strength to gather and strike a volley that deflected out for another corner.

Scott Neilson then received a rapturous reception on what Town fans will hope won't be his final game for the Mariners as he was replaced by Dayle Southwell with only stoppage time remaining.

Town had to survive a late push from the visitors – including from goalkeeper Mayebi – but hung on to record what could prove to be a crucial three points in the Blue Square Bet Premier title race.

MISSING man Scott Ogden faked his own suicide in a desperate attempt to provide for his son.

The 27-year-old, from Holton-le-Clay, has spoken out in the Grimsby Telegraph today about his disappearance, which sparked a three-day search by the police and coastguard.

But what appeared to his distraught parents and brother as suicide was actually a plan to cash in his life insurance to give to his two-year-old son following the breakdown of his marriage.

Now he wants to "put things right" and raise money for the agencies who searched for him by taking part in the Alexandra Dock Christmas Day swim.

Mr Ogden, who served for six years in the Royal Artillary, said: "I am not proud of what I did. I know it was awful to put my friends and family through so much.

"I thought I could just slip into nothingness and no one would care. It was selfish but I thought my son would be better off if I was out of the way.

"I went about everything the wrong way and I am so grateful to the people who were out looking for me. I deeply regret my actions."

Mr Ogden went missing in the early hours of December 6. He was in the middle of a divorce which led to him getting into debt, and he missed seeing his son every day.

Seven months previously, he was admitted to hospital after having a "crisis moment" when he could not stop crying, and afterwards he said he felt "detached" from the world.

He spent weeks planning his "death", even staging an overdose in order to make his disappearance weeks later more like suicide.

At 4am on the day he went missing, he drove to Horseshoe Point, between North Cotes and Marshchapel, abandoned his car, hid his shoes in the marshes and set off cross-country to a "camp" he had set up in woodland off Brat Lane, Binbrook.

He stayed there for three days, shooting wild animals for food.

Mr Ogden said: "Hiding my shoes was awful because I know there was a tragedy at Horseshoe Point, but I knew it would give me time. Someone would see the car and eventually I'd be reported missing.

"I wasn't in a good way or thinking right. It was bizarre; it was like nothing was going through my mind."

Unknown to Mr Ogden, the search for him had widened – costing thousands of pounds.

His plan was to keep walking, but on day three he left his camp and was spotted by his father-in-law, who was working in the Binbrook area.

Mr Ogden is now living with his parents in Lansdowne Avenue, Grimsby, and seeing a councillor for a disassociation disorder.

He will take part in the Christmas Day swim to give something back to the rescue services.

Mr Ogden added: "I am not glorifying what I did. I thought it was the only way out. I will do anything to make it right."

If you want to sponsor Mr Ogden, e-mail faye.preston@gsmg.co.uk