Metal thieves jailed for three years


TWO THIEVES who stole nearly 250 metres of BT cable in Eccles have each been sentenced to three years in jail. Bernard Anthony Prebble and


ColinWray (both 38) were caught as they tried to run away from the field where their hoard was hid- den, Maidstone Crown Court heard.


Prebble, of no fixed address, ad- mitted theft andWray of Coldhar- bour Lane, Aylesford, was found guilty of similar charges by a jury. The court heard how in the morning of November 2 last year, police received a call from a dog walker who had discovered the cable in a field by Bull Lane, Eccles. The cable, which would have been worth £4,180 in scrap value, had been dragged into the field after being pulled up from two BT manhole covers. It had been cut into sections ready for trans- portation. Officers spotted two men trying to run


Three years for Bernard Preb- ble and ColinWray


Part of the haul of metal thieves Prebble andWray


Kent, the judge decided to imposes sen- tences of three years as a deterrent to others. Investigating officer DC Alan Poulton


away from the field. Police search teams found Prebble nearby with a pair of cable cutters, while Wray was discovered in the undergrowth by a police helicopter infrared camera. Due to the prevalence of metal theft in


Village car park


given go-ahead PROPOSALS to improve park- ing at Eccles by turning a green space into a public car park have been approved. Aylesford Parish Council has earmarked a stretch of grass and shrubs next to allotments in Belgrave Street for the scheme, which aims to reduce on-street parking in the area known as The Square. Tonbridge and Malling coun- cillors agreed to the plans after being told that access, espe- cially for emergency vehicles, had long been problematic.


Eat fish ’n’ chips


’n’ help charity THE Spinal Injuries Associa- tion wants people to hold a fish and chip supper for their fam- ily and friends on Friday, May 18, to raise funds for the char- ity.


The aim is to raise awareness


of the work of the SIA and the supper can be at home, at work or in the local community. SIAwill provide tips on host-


ing an event, recipes, invita- tions and donation envelopes. For more details or a fund- raising pack, email fishand- chips@spinal.co.uk, telephone Elizabeth Wright on 0845 071 4350 or visit www.spinal.co. uk/fishandchips.


Smallholders’


chicken chat KENT Smallholders will meet to discusss the topic of “Dis- patching, Plucking and Dress- ing your Chicken” on Wednesday, February 22, in the Bourne mobile building at Hadlow College, starting at 7.30pm.


8 Malling


said: “I hope this result sends a tough mes- sage that metal theft will not be tolerated. We are putting significant resources around targeting metal theft and have organised many dedicated operations to target this particular issue. “Metal theft may seem a crime without victims but it can have devastating conse- quences and can cause widespread and se- rious disruption. Stealing cabling can result in power cuts, which could be catastrophic for hospitals and other emergency service buildings, or leave homes and businesses


AN Aylesford businessman must find another parking spot for the seven trucks and vans he has been keeping at the front of his detached house. Tonbridge and Malling coun-


cillors authorised an enforce- ment notice after a report about the number of commercial vehi- cles being parked at 73Rochester Road, just 28 metres from the vil- lage conservation area. The property owner and two


sons were employed in a CCTV and street lighting business and the vehicles, which were all fit- ted with access lifts, were used for that purpose.


without broadband, or leave rail passengers to face significant de- lays. “We are asking people to be vigi-


lant and help us tackle metal theft. If they see anything suspicious or any suspected criminal activity at scrap metal dealers and around derelict sites, building sites and business/industrial parks we urge them to report it to the police immediately. Target- ing those who steal, deal and trade in scrap metal will help us clamp down on this growing crime.” Luke Beeson of BT said:: “Metal theft has


a major impact on local communities, so it’s pleasing to see offenders receiving propor- tionate sentences. Members of the public can play a vital role in helping combat this problem by being vigilant and reporting suspicious activity to the police.”


Council puts brake on van parking


Councillorswere told that the owner had been searching for an alternative site since last September and hoped to relo- cate on February 1. In case this did not take place,


an order was necessary “to alle- viate the nuisance and detri- ment to amenity resulting from the unauthorised develop- ment”. Three months were al- lowed for compliance. However, it was acknowl-


edged that there were no re- strictions on this section of Rochester Road so the vehicles could be parked on the highway as a result of this action.


Burglar trapped by his own phone


A BUNGLING burglar left a gift of his own for the police when he stole Christ- mas presents from a home in Larkfield. The offence occurred overnight on De- cember 20 in Lunsford Lane. The own- ers came downstairs in the morning to find the back door open and DVDs, a bracelet and gift vouchers had vanished from under the tree. When PC Jo Hazelwood of the local neighbourhood team searched the premises, she found a smartphone under a trampoline in the back garden. Using data on the phone, she identi-


fied the owner, 23-year-old Daniel Manser, who was arrested and admitted the robbery. Manser, of Malling Road, Snodland, appeared before Maidstonemagistrates when he was jailed for 120 days. PC Hazelwood said: “Burglary is


Makeover plan for


cosmetic clinic A VACANT office in the High Street atWest Malling has been earmarked for a cosmetic sur- gery clinic. Mr Umar Daraz Khan, of Re-


shape Cosmetic Surgery, has applied to Tonbridge and Malling for the change of use of part of the building at numbers 2-4, which would provide a purpose-built clinic to consoli- date his business. He currently runs a medical centre on the ground floor of the unit to the front of the site and rents clinics as required.


Lunches for Lent LUNCH will be served at the Church of St John the Baptist, Tonbridge Road,Wateringbury, on Wednesdays, February 29, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, from 12.30pm to 2pm. Voluntary donations will go


to the Cobtree Hall Playschool for special needs children and to Wateringbury Primary School for a shaded area in the infant playground. On the fifth Wednesday the


Lent lunch will be for Christian Aid’s Bowl Over Poverty initia- tive.


never acceptable but it is particularly mean spirited to steal Christmas presents from children. Fortu- nately for us, Manser left behind his smartphone – which was worth much more than the value of the items he stole. “Using that, we were able to arrest and charge him within 24


Christmas gift thief Daniel Manser left vital evidence behind


hours of the offence being reported and ensure he has been sent to prison as a result.”


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Man found dead AN INQUEST has been opened on retired civil servant Andrew Stevenson (58), from Ditton Place, Ditton,who was reported missing on January 24 after fail- ing to return home from a bike ride. His body was found by police


the following day in woodland off North Pole Road, Barming. A post-mortem gave the cause of death as suspension. The hearing at Maidstone was ad- journed.


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