Former judges’ lodgings raided
A MAIDSTONE town centre hotel has been closed and four people arrested after a surge in anti-social behaviour in the town’s Lower Stone Street. Police investigating alleged drug-dealing and prostitution raided the Stone Court Hotel, a residence for Crown Court judges back in the 1700s, on May 25. As a result, three people from Maidstone and a man from Folkestone were arrested, but later released on bail. In the first instance of its kind
in Kent, the hotel has now been ordered to remain closed for three months under the Sexual Offences Act. Under the order, obtained be-
foreWest Kent Magistrates, any- one found on the hotel premises during the closure period could
Beavers grant BEAVER Scouts from St Lukes (Maidstone) group have re- ceived a community grant of £500 from Sainsbury’s. The money will be used to
pay for craft materials for the group.
Sainsbury’s Community
Grant scheme is funded by sales of “Bags For Life”. The scheme provided over £150,000 last year to worthwhile local groups, nominated by store managers and staff.
be liable to up to 51 weeks im- prisonment and a £5,000 fine. Police have warned they have
other operations planned in the coming months to disrupt the drugs trade in the town and bring anyone involved before the courts. Inspector Simon Alland from
Kent Police, who executed the warrant, said: “This warrant formed part of our ongoing work to tackle the supply and use of illegal substances in Maidstone. Drug use can cause related crime such as theft and anti-social behaviour and we had seen an increase in anti-so- cial behaviour in the Lower Stone Street area in recent weeks.” A 29 year-old Maidstone man
was arrested on suspicion of supplying controlled sub-
stances and facilitating prostitu- tion;a 30 year-old Maidstone woman was arrested on suspi- cion of controlling prostitution; a 41 year-old Maidstone man was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensiveweapon and a 43 year-old Folkestone man was arrested on suspicion of fraud and facilitating prosti- tution. All were later released on po-
lice bail until August 3. Following the raid, police
called in Kent Fire Service who served a prohibition notice on the owners, due to breaches in fire regulations. A Kent Fire and Rescue Serv-
ice spokesman said: “After an in- vestigation, a prohibition notice was served due to inadequate means of escape and inadequate means of giving warning.”
The notice means work must
be carried out to make the building safe, until which time it can only be used for storage and toilet facilities. The spokesman added: “An investigation is ongoing as to whether any formal prosecution action will be taken. In the meantime, the site’s owners are being advised on what needs to be done to allow it to begin trad- ing again.” Inspector Alland said: “This operation shows the value of different agencies working to- gether to ensure that Maidstone stays a safe place to live, work and socialise. This warrant was the start of a programme of proactive work ... to tackle anti social behaviour, drug use and issues within the night time economy inMaidstone.”
Charity rewards long servers
TWO charity managers have been rewarded for their 20 years of service to the group and its residents. Janet Riddell and Renate Brown were presented
with flowers and gift vouchers by Paul Oldham, chair- man of the trustees of the Cutbush & Corrall charity, which offers almshouse accommodation to needy older residents in Maidstone and Harrietsham. The presentation was at the charity’s administra-
tive office in College Avenue, Maidstone. For details of the charity go online to
www.cut-
bushandcorrall.co.uk or contact Caroline Gambell on 01622 765612 .
Janet Riddell (left), Paul Oldham and Renate Brown
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