A Spalding man has denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent in an allegation involving a rounders-style bat.
John Goble, 38, of Beckingham Close, Spalding, entered a not guilty plea when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court before Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight. The charge relates to an allegation that he caused grievous bodily harm to Daniel Horgan on February 16, 2026.
The allegation has not been proven. Goble’s not guilty plea means the case will continue through the court process and the evidence will be considered at trial.
Trial listed for March 2027
Goble’s defence barrister, Chris Jeyes, asked for the case to be adjourned for trial. Judge Sjolin Knight fixed the trial to begin at Lincoln Crown Court in the week starting March 8, 2027.
The trial is expected to last between three and four days. A pre-trial hearing has also been arranged at the same court for March 1, 2027. That hearing is scheduled to take place one week before the trial is due to begin.
The court timetable sets out the next stages in the case but does not determine the outcome. The charge is specifically one of causing grievous bodily harm with intent; the source does not report a finding of guilt.
Defendant granted unconditional bail
Goble was granted unconditional bail until his next appearance before the court. No bail conditions are reported in the source material.
Confirming the timetable after Goble indicated that he would plead not guilty, Judge Sjolin Knight told him:
“I have set a timetable which will take us to trial, you having indicated a not guilty plea.”
The next listed event is the pre-trial hearing on March 1, 2027. If the timetable remains unchanged, the trial will then begin at Lincoln Crown Court during the week of March 8, with proceedings expected to continue for three to four days.
The case was reported by The Spalding and South Holland Voice on October 8, 2026. Until the trial or another court decision, the allegation against Goble remains unproven.