Pedal-power pair boost hospice fund


THE Heart of Kent Hospice is £2,500 better off thanks to the ef- forts of these two cycling enthusi- asts.


Caroline Drewett (left), had planned to do the Lands End to John O’Groats trip last May along- side her friend Kate Bosley, the hospice’s chief executive. But Caroline injured her ankle


before they were due to set off, so Kate did the 1,000-mile ride on her own, while Caroline post- poned her effort until October. Caroline, manager of the Med-


way Valley Countryside partner- ship at Allington Lock, said: “It was a fantastic challenge and I can truly say I loved every minute, ex- cept for the torrential rain!”


Two held after


copper raid TWO MEN were arrested after a ram-raid at business premises in QuarryWood, Aylesford. A vehicle was driven


at metal shutters to smash a way into the unit and a quantity of copper was stolen. Police officers across


the area were alerted and a vehicle carrying copper was stopped a short time later in Hadlow. Two men were arrested


on suspicion of burglary in connection with the incident on Tuesday, December 22.


A COMPANY director from Kings Hill has been jailed for seven years for his part in a horrific motorway crash which killed a 58- year-old father-of-three. Edward Parker, 51, of Sportsman’s Cot-


tages, and 55-year-old retired businessman David Steele, of Dane Close, Hartlip, who received four years, were sentenced at Lewes crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving. The court heard that high-powered cars


being driven by the pair were travelling at between 120 and 140 mph and close to each other before the collision on the M2 be- tween junctions 3 and 4 in Medway. Mr Molloy, a challenging needs specialist


from Broadstairs, was driving home after work just after 5pm on July 31, 2009, when Parker’s Vauxhall VXR8 sport car ploughed into the back of him. This caused Mr Mol- loy to lose control and triggered a cata- strophic chain of events that resulted in five vehicles becoming involved in the collision. Mr Molloy’s car struck a lorry before hit-


ting the central reservation barrier and catching fire. With no regard for their own safety, four men pulled him from his burn- ing car but were unable to resuscitate him. Serious Collision Investigation Unit Con-


stable Ian Malcolm said: “We are satisfied with the sentences but the outcome will never bring back Mr Molloy. “What should have been like any other


CHEQUES for a total of £2,700 were presented to charities from the funds raised by the Southern Games at the Royal British Legion Village, Ayles- ford. The money was divided equally between the Heart of Kent Hospice, Demelza Chil- dren’s Hospice and the Royal British Legion Village branch. The inaugural event, which


was held last July, was the brainchild of Tonbridge and Malling Cllr Dave Smith and was supported by local busi- nesses including Gallaghers, Waitrose and Ringway. Events such as tug-of-war and


Irish dancing helped to make it a great day out and plans are under way for this year’s games which will be held on Saturday, July 16.


RBLI chairman Edwin Boorman (centre) presents the jumbo cheques


Jail for killer drivers in M2 chase The victim


day for the Molloy family was changed for- ever by the selfish actions of two men. A normal working day ended in tragedy as a result of the complete disregard by Steele and Parker for the law and other road users


The driver


Parker, who had been remanded in cus-


tody pending sentencing after being found guilty last October, was disqualified from driving for seven years and ordered to pay £3,500 costs. Steele, who pleaded guilty in October,


was also remanded in custody until sen- tencing. He was disqualified for six years and ordered to pay £1,000 costs. In a statement issued after the hearing, Mr


Molloy’s family said: “Today, legal justice has been achieved. However until both men find the courage and integrity needed to ac- cept responsibility for what they have done and show remorse, moral justice will be de- nied to Jim and us.” They paid tribute to a “truly wonderful


“Wonderful dad” Jim Molloy


Company director Edward Parker


and, indeed, their own safety. “These men will be free at the end of their sentences but Mr Molloy’s loved ones will never fully recover from losing a husband, father and grandfather.” He said a section of the M2 was closed for


eight hours while emergency services dealt with the aftermath of the collision, enabling forensic evidence to be gathered from the crime scene.


man full of love and compassion, who was the head of a very close family” and was dedicated to helping adults with learning disabilities and challenging needs fulfil their potential. They thanked “the brave men who risked


their own lives to pull Jim from his burning car.” He was still alive at that point and the family thanked the paramedics who did all they could to try to save him. Mr Molloy left behind a widow, Maureen,


three daughters and two grandsons. The family said: “Jim was a trulywonder-


ful husband, dad and grandpa whom we loved so much. Our hearts are truly bro- ken.”


Great proceeds from a great day out Good causes get


cash from police AIR cadets at Ditton were among the community groups who were presented with dona- tions from the Kent Police Property Fund. Nine organisations each re-


ceived cheques from Chief Supt Tony Thomas, area commander for west Kent, in recognition of the support they provide to people in the area. The fund uses money from the sale or auction of unclaimed property to benefit good causes. The donation to 2374 (Ditton) Squadron Air Training Corps will go towards camping equip- ment to enable cadets to com- plete the expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Kings Hill Parish Council


also successfully applied for cash for the Kings Hill Skate Park Action Group.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk Malling 19


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