Pair charged wth pensioner murder

TWO men from Wisbech have been charged with the murder of a Lincolnshire pensioner who had boiling water poured over him during a robbery.

Rocky Curtis (24), of Newbridge Lane, and Robert Michael Holmes (23), of Redmoor Lane, are accused of the murder of Sonny Grey.

The 70-year-old died in hospital in Nottingham after suffering what Lincolnshire Police described at the time as a “disturbing level of violence”.

Mr Grey was scalded with boiling water from a kettle in the attack at his home in Westwick Gardens, in Lincoln, on Saturday, October 29, and a Lincolnshire Police probe has indicated that the burns he sustained contributed to his death.

Curtis appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He was remanded in custody to appear to Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday.

Holmes, who was charged with murder yesterday, will appear at the court this morning.

Curtis and Holmes were among three people arrested in connection with the murder on Monday.

A 49-year-old woman, also from the Wisbech area, has been released on police bail until Friday, July 6, pending further enquiries.

In all, some eight people have been arrested following Mr Grey’s death.

Two 18-year-old men had their police bail cancelled; while a 29-year-old and 27year-old are due to answer their police bail on Wednesday, June 20, and Thurs- day, June 21 respectively.

A 29-year-old man died while on police bail in relation to this matter. There were no suspicious circumstances, a Lincolnshire Police spokesman said.

In November, loved ones publicly paid tribute to Mr Grey.

As a Romany gypsy growing up in a traditional caravan, Mr Grey travelled the country, before settling in Lincoln as an adult around 40 years ago.

The father-of-10 lived on the St Giles estate, before moving to Westwick Gardens with his partner and the mother of two of his children, Evelyn Nelson.

Miss Nelson said everyone who knew Sonny was struggling to cope with the loss.

She said: “He was loved by us so much and he had such a big heart, not everyone saw that, but we did because he was always there for us and he always looked after us.”

She added: “Whenever I was stressed he’d be straight round and I’d have a smile on my face again.”

Peige and Codie Nelson, who saw Sonny as their grandfather, said his death had hit them extremely hard.

Peige (18) said: “Since he’s been gone I’m struggling to eat enough and I’m not sleeping. I just lie awake thinking about him coming back to visit us.”

Codie (11) said: “He bought me a bike and some toys and he always bought me ice cream – I loved him to bits.”

ATTACKED: Sonny Grey.