'Hedge' murder case ends

Neighbours say it all started with a dispute over a hedge

Criminal proceedings against a man accused of murdering his neighbour after a dispute over a hedge have formally ended.

Robert Dickenson, 52, was arrested after allegedly firing several gunshots at his neighbour George Wilson, 66, and killing him on 23 June.

Mr Dickenson died after he was found hanging in the health centre of a prison where he waiting to appear in court on a murder charge.

He was alleged to have carried out the murder of next-door neighbour George Wilson after a feud over an 18-inch-high hedge.

Three-hour siege

Neighbours say the two men had argued over the hedge and a tree separating their front lawns.

The argument reached a climax when Mr Dickenson allegedly stepped over the border and levelled a gun at his neighbour.

He shot him four times from just a few feet away - even shooting him as he lay on the ground - then went back home and shut himself inside.

He was arrested at the end of a three-hour siege.

Lincoln Prison has launched an internal inquiry into Mr Dickenson's death on 23 June - just days after he was first remanded in custody by magistrates.

At a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court, Detective Inspector Peter Bray, of Lincolnshire Police, formally confirmed that Mr Dickenson had died last week.

Judge Michael Heath directed that criminal proceedings against Mr Dickenson - who never entered a plea to the murder charge - be brought to an end.

A joint inquest into the deaths of both Mr Dickenson and Mr Wilson is expected to be held later this year after police have completed their inquiries.