Man arrested on suspicion of firearms offences

UPDATE, 17:20 on 01/11/2024:

We have charged 32-year-old John Thomas Maughan with possession of a shotgun with intent to cause fear of violence, and criminal damage. 

Maughan, from Gainsborough, has been remanded into custody to appear at Lincoln Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Saturday 2 November).  

A 43-year-old woman who was arrested for assisting an offender has been released on police bail.

A further person, a 20-year-old man, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender yesterday (31 October) and has been released on bail. 

Our investigations are continuing, and we are appealing for anyone with information about that incident to come forwards and share what you know while we continue to investigate.

You can also share information directly with us, or via Crimestoppers completely anonymously.

If you can help, this is how to do it:

• Email [email protected]quoting incident 463 of 8 October
• Or via Crimestoppers online or on the phone via 0800 555 111 – please reference incident 463 of 8 October to ensure the information gets to our detectives.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

We have arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with an investigation into a firearm being discharged near the cemetery in Gainsborough at around 9pm on 8 October 2024.

Officers have been activley investigating this case since the incident was reported, and the man was arrested following a warrant carried out at Brocklesby Close in Gainsborough this afternoon (Thursday, 31 October).

He is being held on suspicion of possession of firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and will be questioned by detectives in due course. 

A 43-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Three other people were previously arrested in connection with this incident. A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to possess a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. He has been released on conditional bail. The other two were a 52-year-old man, and a 56-year-old man, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both have been released under investigation.

We are appealing for anyone with information about that incident to come forwards and share what you know while we continue to investigate.

You can also share information directly with us, or via Crimestoppers completely anonymously.

If you can help, this is how to do it:

• Email [email protected] quoting incident 463 of 8 October
• Or via Crimestoppers online or on the phone via 0800 555 111 – please reference incident 463 of 8 October to ensure the information gets to our detectives.