Evidence from the trial of a former council leader, jailed for misconduct in public office, is now available on the Internet, thanks to the Orchard News Bureau, which raised the questions that led to his arrest.

Jim Speechley, who is appealing against his conviction and 18-month sentence, testified for three days from the witness stand at Sheffield Crown Court.

The material is the work of Lincolnshire local government journalist and university lecturer, Richard Orange, formerly of the Lincolnshire Echo and Western Daily Press.

For the first time, people with an interest in the case can download the Lincolnshire County Councillor’s own detailed and word-for-word account of his part in the A1073 affair, where he was shown to have asked for the route of a by-pass to go near his land, a move which would have enhanced its value.

The transcripts, in PDF format, are now available as an educational resource at the website orchardnews.com.

It was Richard’s investigation that brought the matter to the attention of the council officers, and then the police.

Speechley answered questions in court about his ownership of land in Crowland, south Lincolnshire, his involvement with the selection of a route for a new road scheme from Spalding to Eye, and about his political career at the county council and at Crowland parish council.

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