Laser pen man is jailed
A VINTERS PARK man was jailed for eight months for endangering a police helicopter by ‘blinding’ the pilot with the beam from a laser pen. Maidstone Crown Court heard that Jarome Tom- linson deliberately pointed the laser at the Kent and Essex helicopter as it carried out a search of Maidstone town centre on the evening of June 24, 2010. The laser lit up the flight deck, dazzling the
pilot and forcing him to remove a hand from the flight controls in order to shield his eyes. As he tried to manoeuvre the craft away from the light he was deliberately tracked. The aircrew managed to direct local patrols to
the direction of the light, where Tomlinson (21) was arrested. He was later charged with recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger
Christian Aid event HOLY Cross Church in Bears- ted is marking Christian Aid week with a series of music performances that reflect some of the feasts and festivals of the annual cycle of the church. The event is on Saturday,
May 21, at 7.30pm. Tickets (in- cluding refreshments) are £6, and proceeds will be split be- tween Christian Aid and the choir’s choristers’ training fund. Info – 01622 739530.
Conservatory plan A PLANhas been lodged to erect a conservatory for use as a family meeting room at the Trevor Gibbons Unit at Maid- stone Hospital.
an aircraft, contrary to the CivilAviation Act 1982. Acting Superintendent Nicola Faulconbridge,
of the force contact and control centre, said: “This was a very dangerous thing to do and conse- quences could have been far more serious, but for the skills of the pilot. The crew were going about their daily job – protecting the public – when the light from the laser blinded the pilot. It is testa- ment to his flying skills that he maintained con- trol of the craft but it was an act that not only endangered the crew but also those below in Maidstone town centre.” The judge said Tomlinson, of Kewlands, came
from a good home with a good mother and had shown genuine remorse but that a suspended sen- tence would not provide a deterrent to others. Tomlinson will spend four months of his eight month sentence behind bars.
Invicta wins mock trial event
INVICTA Girls Gram- mar has made it to the regional final in May of a mock trial competi- tion, beating off Astor of Hever and a school in Dover at Maidstone Magistrates Court. The competition, or- ganised by the Citizenship Foundation in partnership with the Magistrates’ Association and local magistrates and court staff, aims to introduce young people to the legal system. This year’s case involved a course of conduct that amounted
Field day for young
hockey enthusiasts HOLLINGBOURNE Primary School were runners-up in a mini-tournament after an after- noon of hockey coaching at Sutton Valence School, given by two former internationals who teach the sport. Headcorn pupils were also among the 80 juniors who took part.
No tree reduction A PLANto reduce the size of overhanging branches of a pro- tected sweet chestnut tree near Mote Park was blocked. Maidstone Council refused
the application claiming the proposed 3m reduction of a tree at The Spinney, Maidstone, could have “set a precedent for further works to this and other protected trees, with wider im- plications for local amenity”.
Invicta pupils celebrate their success.
Messing around YOUNGSTERS are invited to take part in some messy after- school activities. For £2 per family, the Salva-
to disorderly behaviour. Teams of 12 to 14 year-olds took on the roles of lawyers, witnesses, magistrates and court staff in a specially written criminal case, battling against other schools – as prosecution and defence – with their performance judged by real magistrates and legal professionals. It is one of the only active learning competitions to address the legal system.
tion Army’s Messy Church on Thursday, May 12, offers a time for primary school pupils and their families to have fun, wor- ship and share a meal together. The premises at 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, will be open from 3.30pm, with activities from 4pm to 6pm. Children must be accompanied by a par- ent/carer. Info – 01622 681808.
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