LIVES could have been put in serious danger and there could have been a "catastrophe" after a burglar ripped piping and radiators out of a house, leaving gas and water to escape.

Ashley Burns later refused to let gas officials and fire officers go inside his next-door home to carry out emergency checks – and caused a "grave" risk of an explosion by defiantly using a lighter to smoke a cigarette, a court heard.

Burns, 27, of Elliston Street, Cleethorpes, admitted burglary and assaulting Frank Boyd on August 3.

Nicholas Neale, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that a very strong smell of gas was discovered at an empty mid-terraced house and it was discovered that pipes had been ripped out, causing gas and water to escape.

The radiators at the house in Montague Street, Cleethorpes, had been taken off the walls and left.

Burns had broken in through the roof and had tried to take a meter.

The gas was turned off and the emergency services were alerted.

Mr Boyd of the National Grid discovered that gas levels were dangerously high.

He went next door, where Burns was living at the time, to carry out checks inside with the fire brigade.

Burns would not let them inside, became abusive and was "ranting at them".

They managed to get inside after a woman let them in. Burns flicked a cigarette lighter and shouted: "You're trying to take my fag. I'll knock you out."

A fire officer stepped in to calm Burns down but he pushed Mr Boyd from behind down the stairs, causing him to fall onto a bicycle.

Burns later climbed on to the roof, shouted abuse and threw objects to the ground.

"The gas and fire services were able to get in and look at what the problem was," said Mr Neale.

The total bill for the damage caused was £14,700.

Judge Mark Bury told Burns: "You must have realised how dangerous this activity was.

"To compound that, when the National Grid arrived to put right what you had made dangerous, you were abusive and ultimately violent. You wouldn't let the gas man in.

"You must have been aware that the gas man was there because of the gas that was escaping from next door's property. He was in real danger, as he saw it, of a gas explosion.

"You pushed him downstairs and caused him to fall onto a bicycle.

"This was a very serious offence. There was a risk of a catastrophe happening because of your actions."

Richard Hackfath, mitigating, said Burns realised his actions caused a "grave risk of an explosion" and appreciated the seriousness of what he had done.

Burns regretted the confrontation with the gas official and his dangerous use of a cigarette.

Burns was jailed for two years and 11 months.

Crime news for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire

JOHN Fenty has branded Bury boss Kevin Blackwell's blast at Grimsby Town as "concerning" and "unfair".

The Town director has hit back at Blackwell's criticism of the Mariners over the handling of on-loan winger Marcus Marshall.

The Shakers' manager labelled Town's handling of the situation as "shoddy" and "underhand" after Bury recalled Marshall having accepted a bid for his services from Luton.

But Marshall is now back with the Mariners ahead of tomorrow's league game at Cambridge United, and will remain on loan from the League One club until the end of the season – as reported today at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/sport

Mr Fenty said: "It is quite concerning that he (Blackwell) attempts to bring both the FA and Grimsby Town Football Club into disrepute – making all sorts of accusations which are unfair and unfounded."

He added: "Where there is a long-term deal in place and where a player had already played for another club, he then can't play for a third club.

"In effect, if Luton had bought Marcus they would have had a player who wouldn't be able to play for them for six months.

"We know that it is a farcical rule, but at the end of the day it is a rule. FIFA, The FA, The Football League and the Football Conference have been residing over this for days and days and it has now met its conclusion.

"We will now draw a line under this matter."

On the 24-hour recall clause inserted into the winger's loan contract at Town, which was highlighted by Blackwell in his criticism of the Mariners' role in the transfer wrangle, Mr Fenty said: "Our chief executive told his Bury equivalent that effectively the 24-hour clause didn't need to be in there, because it was a long-term loan and the player could be recalled in any event.

"What they wanted to do was to safeguard an option to potentially transfer the player.

"Luton put a bid in for the player and thereafter, very surprisingly, Bury didn't make any overtures for us to show any interest.

"It was beyond this point that we received a phone call to say that the player had been recalled.

"Effectively they had received an offer for the player and terms had been agreed.

"They wouldn't divulge the club and we had to accept that at that stage.

"It turned out soon after that that Marcus didn't want to go to Luton and said that he wanted to stay at Grimsby.

"The deal had then fallen down - nothing to do with Grimsby Town.

"In doing so, he arguably turned down a lucrative deal – so we are led to believe.

"That is a credit to the player. He clearly knows what he wants and he didn't want to go there."

A MARKET town will never get a super-sized supermarket, according to councillors.

Louth Town Council has criticised the Nathaniel Litchfield report commissioned by East Lindsey District Council to look into the effects of a supermarket on the towns of Louth, Alford and Horncastle.

The report by the London- based consultants concluded that businesses in Louth would not be dramatically affected by a 2,000 square metre supermarket and highlighted Louth Cattle Market as a potential site.

The £24,000 retail report has formed part of the council's consultation into its draft core strategy.

As part of that consultation, Louth Town Council has highlighted a number of concerns.

Councillors claimed that the town's market was not considered as part of the impact on the town centre. Councillor Andrew Leonard dubbed the whole report as flawed.

He said: "Holton-le-Clay was included as a catchment but most people there do not trail down to Louth. The whole thing is a waste of rate payers' money and it has a hidden agenda we do not yet know about."

Councillor Sue Locking said Louth will never have the large size supermarket some people want.

She said: "It will not stop people going to those big supermarkets. If Morrisons expanded, then that should provide us with enough shopping to satisfy this report.

In agreement, Councillor Andrew Leonard added: "Those people who think Louth Town Council is against supermarkets are wrong.

"What we are against are people thinking we are going to get a superstore. We are never going to get that size in Louth.

"We will never meet the expectations they want. The cattle market is not big enough and all East Lindsey will do will sell that site and net the money.

"They would have to answer to the electorate about why they've sold Louth's family silver off and will have a very big question to answer."

Councillor Chris Green said Louth will lose more than what it will gain from having a huge supermarket.

The report stated that 600 residents were telephone interviewed as part of the report's research, but councillors said they do not know anybody who was interviewed.

AUSTRALIA might have the sun, but for Grimsby ex-pats, their home town still has the news they want.

Christine Wood and partner Joe Deeney, of Waltham, took a trip down under – armed with their trusted Grimsby Telegraph – and were reunited with their family.

It was the first time they had visited Christine's sister Pauline Elsey, who emigrated to Australia 25 years ago.

And all 15 of them took it in turns to read the Grimsby Telegraph, which headlined with news about the future of Scartho Baths.

Mrs Wood said: "It was a very emotional time for us all and so lovely to see everyone.

"They were waiting in line to read the Grimsby Telegraph, they found it fascinating!"

She was most excited to meet her great-niece Charlotte Mager, who was worried she wouldn't be able to understand the Grimsby accent.

Mrs Wood added: "We had a lovely time, it is a beautiful country with a fabulous lifestyle."

Telegraph On Tour 2013 will be launching soon – keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph.

OUR Young Reporters have penned their final column – but don't worry readers, five more budding writers are ready to entertain and inform.

Since October, five talented writers have been challenging the negative stereotype of young people through the power of the written word as part of the Young Reporters scheme.

Now, Kelly Ballard, Abbie Dewhurst, Jessica Dales, Chelsea Stocks and Olivia Scott have passed over their notepads to a new batch of future journalists and writers.

Run by the Young Person Support Services, with the Grimsby Telegraph, each has penned Young Reporter columns every Saturday, ranging from controversial peices about immigration to lighter topics such as dreaming.

Boneata Bell, 19, a professional writing student at the Grimsby Institute, enjoyed being a Young Reporter so much she will do it for another three months.

She added: "Being a Young Reporter gives us the opportunity to say what we want to say – and I have a lot!

"It was a great experience.

"I loved stirring things up and hearing what the public had to say."

Jessica Dales, 16, has enjoyed every second of the scheme.

She said: "We met some great people and I got to do something I have always wanted to do.

"It was great fun and good experience because, although I have always wanted to be a journalist, I didn't know what kind I wanted to be. This has helped me."

Abbie Dewhurst, 19, dreams of becoming a writer.

She said: "It is a really good experience but getting into the profession is very hard.

"Competition is tough so you need something else that makes you stand out. This has helped me get that."

YPSS participation coordinator Pippa Curtin is confident the new Young Reporters will maintain their predecessor's strong reputation.

She said: "It has been amazing, they have all done so well.

"I am sure the new group will bring new ideas to the table and take the project forward."

And lookout for new online blogs and podcasts from the Young Reporters coming soon.

Is a pet for life, asks Olivia Scott in today's column – see page 18.

IS it a bird? Is it a plane?

Nope, it's a charity skydiver!

St Andrew's Hospice is looking for a group of superheroes to take part in the UK's highest skydive.

The charity hopes to get 30 intrepid volunteers to jump from 15,000ft to mark Children's Hospice Week while dressed as superheroes.

One of last year's participants, Micheal Kaus, 56, a stevedore from Immingham, said: "The experience is out of this world. It's something I always wanted to do and was able to do it for a really good cause.

"The Hospice always needs a lot of funding, they get very little money from the government.

Michael, who dressed as Spiderman for the skydive, added: "They do a lot for the community and I think a lot of people don't even know what the hospice does.

"People should support it as one day they may need it."

The 2013 Superhero Skydive will take place on Sunday, May 19 at Hibaldstow.

Hospice events organiser Angela Greenfield said: "Last year's Superhero Skydive was a fantastic event with 11 intrepid heroes who between them raised more than £10,000 for the Hospice. Most participants said that it was the experience of a lifetime.

"Our oldest participant last year was a 75 year old lady who did the jump in memory of her husband, which proves that anyone can do it."

This year, there are 30 places available on the tandem jump, which allows you to enjoy an adrenalin-fuelled free fall harnessed to a British Parachute Association qualified instructor.

This means that you need only a short 20 minute briefing before you take to the skies and you have the security of knowing that it is the instructor who opens and lands the parachute so that you can relax and enjoy the thrill.

Participants must pledge to raise a minimum of £400 and pay a £100 deposit on registration.

The Skydive is open to anyone over the age of 16 and there is no upper age limit. Participants aged 16 and 17 must have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian and those who are aged 40 or over, or who have a pre-existing medical condition must have a British Parachute Association Medical Form signed by a doctor.

There is also a maximum weight limit of 16st.

Visit www.standrewshospice.com, call Angela Greenfield on 01472 350908 ext 265 or e- mail angela.greenfield@nhs.net

A BROTHER and sister team are lacing up their running shoes, polishing putters and suiting up for charity.

Kelly Hewson-Fisher and Ross Hewson will run the London Marathon on Sunday, April 21, as well as holding a variety of events to raise money for Scope.

The pair was inspired following the support they received from the charity when Mr Hewson's stepdaughter, Olivia Woodward, went through treatment for cerebral palsy.

The 33-year-old farmer from Tetney said: "I successfully completed the London Marathon in 2009 with my brother James and raised more than £2,000 for Scope.

"Olivia went through a lot of operations. We were in and out of hospital and Scope supported us.

"We also realised there are a lot of people far worse off than us so that is why we want to raise as much money as possible.

"I was initially hampered by an injury and the training is just starting, but I am confident that the 26 miles of the marathon will be completed.

"The Paralympics last year really raised awareness and strengthened the message that you can achieve what you set out to."

Kelly, 35, from Holton-le-Clay, said: "I have raised money for the charity before but this will be my first marathon.

"I go running most days and I am up to about 16 miles at the minute.

"We want to raise £3,600, which will help the charity provide teaching aids and equipment.

"It is hard to fit in training around work and home life, but I am determined.

"My mum ran the marathon in 1986 and both my brothers did it four years ago so I have to give it a go."

And Olivia is backing the pair all the way.

She added: "The money raised will help children who might be in a wheelchair. I will be watching and cheering them on."

Prior to the marathon, a black tie ball and three-course meal will take place, on Friday, March 8 at Lucarly's, in Humberston, with an auction and raffle too. Doors will open at 7pm and tickets are £35.

A golf day will take place on Friday, March 22, at Tetney Golf Club, costing £25 per person.

And a quiz night is organised for Saturday, April 27, at The New Inn, North Thoresby. Tickets cost £5 per person, with teams restricted to a minimum of four people.

For more information, contact Kelly on 07807 013438 or hewsonkelly@hotmail.com, or Ross on 07967 016253 or rosshewson@hotmail.co.uk

ABOUT 50 jobs could be lost at the New Linx Housing Trust.

Its parent company, Waterloo Homes, which is based in the Birmingham area, plans to centralise its "back office" services in the West Midlands.

There are about 50 personnel at risk in finance and human resources services out of the 220 staff working for New Linx in Louth and Skegness.

Employees have received letters telling them of the changes due to come into effect in May.

Tenants in the 6,000 homes looked after by New Linx throughout Lincolnshire will also receive letters informing them of the impact of changes to housing benefits and the new structure.

The centralisation could mean a significant number of job losses at the partnership, which is based at Keily House, in Stewton Lane, Louth.

Waterloo Housing Group chief executive David Pickering told the Grimsby Telegraph: "We anticipate that nearly 150 of our 'front-line' – or customer-facing – staff will continue to have a base in our local office in Lincolnshire and, or, be home-based."

New Linx provides a mix of flats, bungalows and houses for rent in an area stretching from Holton-le-Clay in the north down to Wainfleet.

The trust also built the £4.5 million Elizabeth Court sheltered accommodation complex in Church Street, Louth, pictured below, as well as more accommodation for elderly people throughout East Lindsey.

Mr Pickering said: "The group needs to be ready for changes such as welfare reform, which will have a significant impact on associations such as ours and many of our customers from April 2013.

"We have gone a long way in achieving greater consistency in service delivery for customers. We feel now is the right time to bring our back office functions together in one location."

The new centre is in Solihull and is expected to be operational by December.

"We are in the process of a detailed consultation about our plans with staff over the next few weeks."

He said 311 new homes will be built in Lincolnshire by 2015, with plans for a further 300 after that.

The housing provider was established nearly 15 years ago following the sale of the council housing stock by East Lindsey District Council.

One member of staff who has been with the housing association from the start said: "Everyone is very worried. Many of us have mortgages and if we lose our jobs many of us will be putting For Sale signs outside our homes."

Another staff member, who did not wish to be named, said: "If you are in an admin job in Louth earning around £15,000, you are not going to relocate to the West Midlands. It is an anxious time."

THE dog 19-year-old Melissa White was supposed to be looking after was left to starve to death in agony while helpless in a garden.

Deputy district judge Sam Goozee said the dog had been found "emaciated, dehydrated and with its stomach completely empty of any food".

He said: "Clearly, this dog had just been left to die. It clearly had not been fed – and that dog suffered."

He told White: "The dog can't look after itself. It can't feed itself. It relies entirely on you.

"You breached that relationship of trust and left it to starve. For at least two weeks, it had not been fed."

Probation services officer Rachel Austwick said White had bought the German Shepherd dog, aged about four and called Tyson, from an acquaintance for about £100.

White claimed the other person agreed to provide food. She claimed she was struggling financially – but had a Sky contract to pay for.

The dog was kept in the garden, as the previous owner had done, but White was "out of her depth" looking after the dog and she was "struggling to feed herself", said Miss Austwick.

White claimed she never heard the dog whimpering and claimed that when she saw the empty dog bowl, she assumed the dog was "just playing with it".

White claimed to be suffering from depression, said Miss Austwick – but shortly before going into the courtroom, White was repeatedly seen laughing and joking with others.

White, of Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to provide adequate food and water, between August 3 and 17.

Nick Furman, mitigating, said White was "hopelessly incapable of caring for the dog properly".

He added: "Clearly, its feeding was woefully inadequate and, sadly, the dog died.

"She was overwhelmed by life's other difficulties. She was swimming around in a sea of incompetence and mental stress.

"She is extremely upset and distressed that she was responsible for what happened."

At the time of the hearing White owned a cat and there had been no problems with it.

As well as 200 hours' unpaid work and a ten-year ban from owning or keeping animals, White was ordered to pay £100 costs.

THE biggest boost for the Mariners ahead of this afternoon's clash at Cambridge must be the return of Aswad Thomas.

The left-back has been out of action since New Year's Day thanks to a three-match suspension and a couple of postponements.

But the full-back is due to start against the U's at the Abbey Stadium today – provided the match beats the weather – and will bring another dimension to Town's attacking play if he does.

In fairness to Bradley Wood, the youngster has filled in admirably during Thomas' lay-off, as he always does.

Opposing wingers rarely get the better of the former Youth-teamer and I'm yet to see him a shirk a tackle ever, which always endears a player to the fans.

However, playing a right-footer at left-back is never ideal, especially when it comes to going forward.

That's particularly true given how the Mariners set up this campaign.

Whether it's Jamie Devitt on the left flank or Scott Neilson before him, both players love to cut inside off the wing onto their right-foots to link up with the forwards or have a shot on goal.

That leaves a gaping hole on the outside for a fast, left-footed, overlapping full-back to charge into.

And no one at this level does that better than Thomas.

The former Charlton trainee arrived from Braintree in the summer with a big reputation, and he hasn't disappointed.

Defensively, he has been a core part of the meanest backline in the Conference, while, going forward, his marauding runs give opposition full-backs nightmares.

Just look at Town's crucial winning goal against Wrexham just before Christmas to see what he brings to the party offensively.

Thomas flew forward onto Craig Disley's cross-field pass, beat his man with a burst of pace and fired in a delightful low left-foot cross for Ross Hannah to tap home.

Neilson – in his final game in a Town shirt – had tucked inside to open the space perfectly.

That's far from the only example of Thomas' attacking impact over the first half of the season, though.

In fact, the 23-year-old has probably been the Mariners' Player of the Season so far.

His red card in the home derby with Lincoln temporarily halted his momentum and, without doubt, the Mariners have missed him this month.

The 1-1 home draw with Hereford was crying out for a burst or two forward from Thomas, especially during a frustrating second half.

And after the battling win at Welling in the Trophy, it took 84 minutes for Town to net against Hyde on Tuesday night as they struggled to break down two banks of four.

Football fans – myself included – often underestimate the importance of full-backs in the modern game.

It's no longer the position where you can 'hide' your more limited players or 'get by' with a utility man.

England C international Thomas shows that perfectly – he's the modern-day wing-back and that's exactly why the Mariners' bosses were so desperate to get him in the summer.

PROPOSED cutbacks to Trading Standards have been described as "foolhardy" and the "wrong move" by Conservative councillors.

North East Lincolnshire Council is planning to remove the equivalent of one and a half full-time officer posts from the department as part of its 2013/14 budget.

One position will be removed altogether, while the other role will be split between trading standards and the licensing department.

The move will save £25,000 next year, as well as helping to generate an extra £16,000 through the increase enforcement of taxi and gambling licenses.

However, it would also result in a reduction in food premises inspections and investigations into unfair trading, among other activities.

Speaking at the final budget scrutiny meeting yesterday, Councillor Iain Colquhoun (Con, Waltham) said: "We are taking an officer who is charged with the safety of the public, food safety and firework safety, and putting them in charge of making sure taxi drivers are dressed correctly, and that is not a good move.

"We should keep the officer in trading standards.

"It says in the report that the service has stopped doing low risk work and that this will reduce the medium and high risk activities and that seems to be the wrong move."

Councillor John Fenty (Con, Humberston & New Waltham) said: "I simply can't agree with this. It is essential that we peg our service at a level that protects the public from food poisoning and I think it is absolutely foolhardy to make a reduction in this area. I think it would make us vulnerable quite frankly."

However, council leader Chris Shaw (Lab, Sidney Sussex) said that keeping the post within trading standards would not allow the council to generate extra income through taxi and gambling licensing enforcement, and that savings would therefore have to be found elsewhere.

As part of the proposal, the council will generate an extra £5,000 by introducing new style plates for taxis, £12,000 by raising taxi fees in line with the regional average and £6,000 by increasing Gambling Act license fees for amusement arcades, bingo halls and betting shops.

By contrast trading standards activities do not provide an income for the council.

Other proposals presented to the safer and stronger communities scrutiny panel included a £33,000 saving by removing the post of the Community Safety Team Coordinator and a £29,000 saving on rent by withdrawing staff from buildings owned by partner organisations and relocating them in council premises.

THE tragic shooting of 26 innocent people in an American School has sparked debate across the world on gun policy at home and abroad.

Twenty pupils and six staff were killed by Adam Lanza at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on December 14.

And although firearms are much harder to get hold of in the UK than in the US, where they can be bought over the counter, there is still a considerable number of potentially dangerous weapons in Humberside and Lincolnshire – 81,399 registered shotguns and sporting firearms, in fact.

In simple terms, the difference is that a firearm has a rifled barrel and fires bullets; a shotgun is smooth bore and fires cartridges or blanks. It's easier to obtain a shotgun licence than a firearms licence, but if a shotgun can hold more than three cartridges or has a detachable magazine or the barrel length is less than 24 inches then it is classed as a firearm and needs the relevant licence.

There are three main uses for guns here – sport, vermin control and game shooting. Shotguns are generally used for shooting birds and small mammals and clay targets.

Steve Davidson, secretary of the North East Lincolnshire Target Club, said: "Shooting is probably the safest sport in the country because it is so tightly-controlled.

"We have found that more and more people are coming into the sport.

"Our club has around 120 members and we believe that guns are not dangerous and guns don't kill people, people kill people.

"In this country you cannot get a firearm legally without a full criminal record check.

"I have found that shooting as a sport does not attract the wrong kind of person.

"I wouldn't want to see the law increased in our country because I think that we have the right balance of restrictions. At the club we provide for a whole range of shooting needs, from air pistols to section one firearms.

"The vast majority of our members own their own guns and all the shooting on our two 25 metre ranges takes place under the guidance of a range officer."

There are certain regulations that must be followed if someone wishes to own a firearm or shotgun.

Firearms officer Alan Booth from The British Association for Shooting And Conservation added: "It is harder to obtain a firearms licence than one for a shotgun.

"For a firearm the person applying for it has to fill in an application and submit it to the police.

"They also need to submit two people for references who in turn answer questions on the applicant and send them back to the police.

"The police then do background checks on all three people.

"If everything appears to be as it should an enquiry officer from the police will pay the applicant a visit to check to see if they are suitable to hold firearms.

"The house is also checked as well as the gun cabinet that has to be already installed.

"There has to be a good reason for every gun you have applied for.

"You must also show that you have access to suitable land to use a gun on. Previous experience is also necessary when applying for a firearm.

"If everything is as it should be a report is sent through to the firearms department and then a certificate can be sent out.

"For shotguns you still have to show good reason to why you want one but you do not have to have experience.

"All background checks are the same and once you have a certificate you can have as many shotguns as you like as long as they are stored suitably.

"There is no minimum age for someone to have a shotgun but young people have to be supervised.

"However, to have a firearm you have to be at least 14-years-old."

Shotguns are generally seen as a piece of equipment that keeps pests under control and entire industries afloat.

Game dealer Billy Walker from Grainthorpe said: "I buy game after it has been shot.

"Without the guns I wouldn't be in business.

"We have around 700 pheasants coming in every week and without shooting we wouldn't have any.

"Guns are an essential piece of equipment and keep people in business.

"The rules around guns are very strict in this country. I think we use common sense when it comes to gun law."

Although shotguns and sporting guns are highly regulated, air weapons can be bought over the counter with valid identification.

Dave Moore, owner of Dave's Airguns and Army Surplus in Freeman Street, Grimsby, said: "To buy an air rifle you have to be 18-years-old but you can be any age to use one as long as the person is supervised.

"To buy an air gun you have to show a valid ID and give your name and address which we then register before we give you the weapon.

"They can be dangerous in the wrong hands but the regulations have tightened so you do have to prove who you are.

"Air rifle shooting is a very popular sport because you can practise at home as long as everything stays within your boundary.

"I think the American laws on firearms are right.

"We could lower our violent crime rates if more of the right people were allowed to carry guns.

TWO cruel women allowed dogs to suffer the "horror and pain" of slow, lingering deaths by leaving them to starve for weeks until they died in agony.

One of the suffering dogs was found dead in "horrendous" conditions – among swarms of flies – after being locked in a toilet and abandoned by her owner for about six weeks.

In another completely separate case, a woman callously left a dog outside in a garden with no food or water for at least two weeks until it died a pitiful death.

She is believed to have deliberately ignored the dog's pain and suffering – even though she would clearly have been able to see its distress every day through her window.

Both women have now been banned from owning or keeping any animals for ten years. Both cases were brought by the RSPCA.

The dog owned by Laura Shaw, 23, died in horrific and squalid conditions – with mess and urine all over the place – after being callously abandoned.

Nigel Burn, prosecuting, said that the dead dog was found in a downstairs toilet at Shaw's former home in Shelley Avenue, Grimsby.

There was an "overpowering foul stench" and the house was swarming with large flies.

Empty plates and a bowl were found and it looked as though they had been bitten by the black cross-bred dog, Lulu, in a desperate attempt to find something to eat.

The stench of the dead dog was "horrendous", said Mr Burn.

Shaw, now of no fixed address, admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to provide veterinary care between April 2 and May 14 and leaving it unattended without adequate food and water between May 14 and August 9.

She claimed that she was scared to seek help after the dog's condition deteriorated but, when she was asked about the death, she admitted: "It must have been traumatic and it must have been lonely and scared."

Lauren Fisher, mitigating, said Shaw claimed the dog stopped eating and drinking and that she tried giving it milk and different dog food brands.

"Things spiralled out of control," said Miss Fisher.

"She did not get the help that was necessary for the dog and neglected her duty as an owner to take the dog to the vet's."

Shaw's former home was burgled after windows were smashed and a large amount of her property was stolen, causing her "extreme unhappiness".

She left the house "feeling scared and unable to cope" and abandoned the dog, who was aged about 18 months to two years. She was ashamed of her actions.

Probation officer Graham Marshall said Shaw had been a mental health support worker for about four years but lost her job and later "drank to oblivion every day whenever she could".

Unemployed mother-of-two Shaw had more than £10,000 of debts.

Deputy district judge Sam Goozee told Shaw: "You have committed a cruel and despicable offence. The pictures I have seen show the horror and pain that Lulu must have gone through in what was a very slow death.

"The conditions in which she was found are disgusting and she clearly had been dead for a while.

"You left Lulu to die, having absolutely no regard for what she was going to go through.

"Anyone who owns an animal must care and look after it.

"Looking after an animal brings responsibility and you simply ignored those responsibilities.

"Can you imagine what it would be like if a child went through what Lulu did? As an adult, you would never place a child in that position and you should not place an animal in that position."

As well as 200 hours' unpaid work and the ban, Shaw was ordered to pay £150 costs.

THERE can really be very little excuse for cruelty to animals of any kind.

In today's tough economic climate, caring for a pet – however big or small – can be fairly expensive, especially if they fall ill.

Vets bills can really add up and lead to difficult situations for some.

But there are organisations that exist to help, and would never knowingly turn down a request for someone who was genuine in their need for help with care or treatment.

There are occasions when ignorance may well play a part.

A very elderly person who relies on their cat or dog for company could be guilty of unconscious neglect – not noticing when a feline has fleas, for example.

However, there are many, many cases when people are just downright cruel – and they certainly do have the ability to care for the animals they have been charged to look after, or to take action to ensure they are looked after elsewhere.

They are guilty and should be made to realise the suffering and trauma that an animal will feel when in that situation. Their behaviour is simply unacceptable.

Do you have an animal and have you noticed a rise in the cost of looking after it, or are you struggling. Let us know by commenting on this story.

HAVE you seen strange contrails in the skies over Grimsby?

This picture was taken by a reader near the Oasis Wintringham Academy yesterday morning and appears to show a contrail stretching straight across the sky, then starting to peter out, before suddenly dropping to the ground.

As posted on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, the woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "I hadn't seen it until the school bus driver pointed it out. It just drops out of the sky.

"It must be over Mablethorpe way. We wondered if there had been a plane crash and I was telling the teachers nearby to put the TV on, but there was nothing about it.

"At the bottom of the trail, there was a strange, orange glow and I could see some black smoke.

"We also saw a smaller plane flying towards it, then it suddenly swung around and went back the other way. It's really strange."

However, fears she had witnessed the aftermath of a disaster luckily proved to be unfounded.

After being sent the picture by the Grimsby Telegraph, a spokesman for the Met Office said: "Condensation trails only occur high in the atmosphere. Today the aircraft would have to be above 29,000ft.

"As the aircraft moves away from the viewer it 'appears' to be heading closer and closer to the ground, but it is still at the same height above the ground. It is just from the viewer's perspective that it appears to be falling.

"The contrail in the picture has probably been there for a little while, and the strong winds at high level will distort the trail as well."

Reader Pat Copley also got in touch to say she had seen the trails, but that there was "nothing sinister" about it.

She said: "Where we live we have open views across the countryside and the orange glow the lady said she saw was the sun.

"I was also watching the trails in the sky this morning. I will agree there was a lot more than usual, but we also could see the planes, although they were very high."

Commenting online, davel60Friday, added: "An aircraft is travelling from left to right. It then changes direction, flying away from the viewer towards the rising sun. Also, I'm not so sure these trails are a new thing.

"There are lots of photographs and film from the Second World War of aircraft producing these trails, but then, the X-Files didn't exist then, not with Mulder on the case. No one to investigate then."

Share your sightings:

Have you seen anything strange in the Lincolnshire skies? If so, send us your pictures and videos by e-mailing pictures@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk. Please don't forget to include details of where and when you spotted the phenomenon and your name and contact details.