Two Hagworthingham Parish Councillors have received cautions for cutting a wire on a burglar alarm.
Councillors Edmund Done (67) and Jim Curtis (73) of Hagworthingham Parish Council caused approximately 5p worth of damage, in September 2008, by cutting a wire on an alarm that sounded for 20 minutes every two hours – day and night – for eight weeks. It was stated that the two Councillors felt that this was the last option to ensure peace and quiet for local residents after exhausing all other avenues on the alarm.
Councillor Done confirmed that efforts had been made, prior to taking action, to locate the owners of the property but all efforts had failed. He also stated that the building should not have had an alarm fitted as it is a listed building and had not sought permission.
There have been nine hearings so far, costing taxpayers thousands as CPS officials had to travel from Lincoln and back on each occasion. By allowing the Councillors to accept a caution this has saved the taxpayer the cost of a two-day trial.