Benefits cheat must repay £3,000 Mystery donor’s


A SNODLAND man obtained more than £3,000 in benefits by claiming that he was single, when his wife lived with him and had a job. Ricky Morris (48), of Alex Hughes Close, appeared before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court, when he admitted making false statements to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to obtain job seekers allowance, housing and council tax benefits. When Morris completed his


claim forms he said he was sin- gle. However, Mr Morris failed to tell the agencies that his wife livedwith him and that she had a job. He was overpaid £3,200.37 in benefits. The court heard Morris had


lost his job and could not afford to pay his rent and council tax, so had applied for benefits as a single person. Chairman of the bench, Alan Knight, said the court tookmat- ters of benefit fraud very seri- ously, as perpetrators of fraud were taking money from their fellow citizens. Morris was sentenced to 300


hours community service, re- duced to 200 hours because of his early guilty plea. He was also ordered to pay a total of £100 costs and repay all the money fraudulently claimed.


Elderly couple flee house blaze


ANelderlycouplemanagedto escape fromtheir Trottiscliffehomewhen itwas ravaged by fire in the early hours. Thepair, both in their 80s,andawoman,thought tobeinher 50s,who


was staying at the detached house,were treated for smoke inhalation. Anambulancewent to the scene inPilgrimsWay,but no one required


hospital treatment. The cause of the fire, whichbroke outatabout1.45am,was being in-


vestigated butwas not thought to be suspicious. Four fire crews took nearly five hours to extinguish the blaze which badly damaged the roof.


AYLESFORDMPTracey Crouch is leading a campaign to get a better deal for residents affected by cuts to a village evening bus service. The MP is trying to arrange a public meeting with representa- tives from KCC and Arriva, so


that users can voice their feel- ings on the changes to the 155 bus service, which provides a vital link between Maidstone and Medway for people in Aylesford and Eccles, and pos- sibly persuade Arriva to change the timetable.


gift to village ANYONE who knows of a wor- thy community project in the Eccles area is invited to apply for a grant. An anonymous donor has


given borough councillor Roger Dalton a sum of money for proj- ects in the Eccles area. It could be an event celebrat-


ing theQueen’s Diamond Jubilee, a new bench in the recreation ground, or for a group such as the church, school or Brownies. Anyone who wishes to apply should call Cllr Dalton on 01634 867281 or email him at roger.dalton@tmbc.gov.uk


Hall toilets scheme THE Nettlestead Village Hall committee has been given per- mission to erect a single-storey extension to provide larger toi- let facilities at its premises in Maidstone Road.


Residents urged to have their say on bus service If more people use the bus, it


is hoped further cuts can be avoided. If you would be will- ing to attend a meeting, or have concerns about cuts to the serv- ice, contact Cllrs Roger Dalton on 01634 867281 or Dave Davis on 01634 869650.


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