ROBERT PRICE FROM SURFLEET JAILED AFTER BAIL BREACH AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN LINCOLNSHIRE

In August 2006, Robert Price, a 53-year-old man from Kingfisher Drive in Surfleet, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison following a series of serious criminal charges related to sexual misconduct. The case drew significant attention due to Price's prior conviction and his subsequent actions after being granted bail.

Price had been found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and criminal behavior involving an 11-year-old girl at a Bourne Leisure Centre. The court heard that he had kissed the young girl with his tongue, an act that was both invasive and deeply troubling. Furthermore, he was accused of lifting her up in the pool while his hand was placed on her bottom, actions that constituted sexual assault and exploitation of a minor.

Adding to the gravity of the case, Robert Price, who previously served as a parish councillor in Pinchbeck, was also alleged to have encouraged the girl to pull down his swimming shorts on two separate occasions. These incidents highlighted a pattern of predatory behavior that shocked the local community and prompted a thorough investigation.

Price's criminal activities did not end there. After being granted bail by a judge, he absconded, leaving the country with his passport, £700 in cash, and a chef’s knife. His disappearance occurred before he was scheduled to be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court earlier that month. His absence prompted a manhunt, and he was eventually arrested at Heathrow Airport, where authorities apprehended him as he attempted to evade justice.

During the trial, Price maintained his innocence, denying all allegations and claiming that his actions were merely “larking about” with the young girl. Despite his denials, a jury convicted him in June on five counts of sexual assault and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. His conviction led to his placement on the sex offenders’ register, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities post-release.

Price’s case underscores the serious consequences of sexual misconduct, especially involving minors, and highlights the importance of judicial measures such as bail and monitoring to prevent offenders from fleeing justice. His actions and subsequent flight from the law have left a lasting impact on the community of Surfleet and the wider Lincolnshire area, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against child exploitation and abuse.