Fast justice in virtual court 21 years of
caring support MAIDSTONE Hospital’s Breast Care support group celebrated its 21st birthday with a party. The group, established in
1991 by nurse specialist Pam Wright and patient Sadie Sharp,who are pictured, meets every month, and a speaker is arranged to make sure the ses- sions are useful and informa- tive. For more information about the group, call 01622 225743.
Club details
under wraps CLUBBERS will be invited to step through the looking glass when a new venue opens at Lockmeadow. Wonderland, inspired by the adventures of Lewis Caroll’s Alice, is currently being planned by nightclub operator No Saints, but the details are being kept under wraps. Lock- meadow owners X Leisure an- nounced earlier this year that the company was to take over and refurbish the first floor of the complex, formerly home to Liquid and Envy, Jumpin’ Jaks and Hotshots. A spokesman for the No Saints said earlier this year there would be a bowling alley and soft play centre, as well as the club, to provide all-round family entertainment.
Show boss out ROGER Moore, executive man- ager of the Kent County Show, may have paid the price for this year’s washout by losing his job. Mr Moore, who had been in charge of the last two shows, has been relieved of his posi- tion in a cost-cutting measure aimed at saving his £50,000- plus salary. The heavy rain at July’s show prevented many visitors from getting on to the site, off Detling Hill, as parking areas turned into quagmires. It is thought or- ganisers from Kent County Agricultural Society (KCAS) lost about £300,000.
Food delivery plea CHINESE restaurant Tang’s Im- perial, in 24 Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, has applied to set up a take away and deliv- ery service. The planning application
will be determined by Maid- stone Council.
28 Town
OFFICERS at Maidstone and Tonbridge Police stations are pi- loting a virtual court project de- signed to speed up the justice system by using high-tech cam- eras to place defendants before magistrates immediately after being charged. The scheme, which began on September 3, is used to process people who are expected to enter a guilty plea. This means they will not have to be bailed to ap- pear at court at a later date and will be dealt with immediately. If their case cannot be re- solved the same day, they will be able to move on to the next stage of the court process. Kent Police say this will save around five to sixweeks of delay. If suc-
cessful the scheme will be rolled out through all the cus- tody suites in the county. The pilot follows the success
of several drink/drive aware- ness campaigns by the force, in which drivers who had been found to be over the limit ap- peared immediately via the sys- tem. One manwas banned from driving within 90 minutes of being charged with the offence. At first, the virtual court pilot process will only be used for crimes including drink/driving, theft, shoplifting, public order and criminal damage. Inspector Bob Platt said: “It is important that we move with the times, and digitalising the criminal justice system is one
way we can do this. People do not want to see public money being spent on lengthy legal processes; they want people whoare foundtohavebroken the law dealt with quickly. “The large scale public disor-
der last year really demon- strated the benefits of this technology and we were able to process defendants quickly, freeing up officers’ time and space in our custody suites should it have been needed to offer aid to neighbouring forces. “Kent Police is now capable
of using the virtual court tech- nology in favour of putting more officers where they belong – back on the streets, rather than sitting in court for days on end.”
Appeal follows
garage theft DETECTIVES investigating a burglary in Maidstone are ap- pealing for help from members of the public. The burglary is reported to
MP Helen Grant with Chris Hunt, Jenny Hill and Jen Dodd of Kent Savers
MP impressed by credit union MAIDSTONE and the Weald MP Helen Grant met the team at Kent Savers to learn howthe credit union benefits individuals and commu- nities.
Based in the Maidstone Community Support Centre, Kent Savers
have been operating in the county town for just over two years. They are a credit union, with 1,100 individualmembers buying into
a co-operative that keepsmoney invested in the local community. Currently,more thanamillion people in theUKwhohavecredit union accounts and people applying foraloan find that they are givenasym- pathetic ear in an old-fashioned bank manager-type service. Helen said: “I was very impressed by the service provided by Kent
Savers. They clearly serve the community well, assisting local people with friendly and helpful financial advice and support.”
Pub takeaway plan re-designed ANOTHER application has been submitted to turn the former Eagle pub, on the junction of Loose Road and Old Tovil Road, Maidstone, into a hot food takeaway. In July this year, Maidstone Council refused a similar applica-
tion, claiming it would be harmful to the character of the area. But applicant Richard Seymour believes he has addressed the objec- tions in a revamped application, whichwill again be determined by the council. The previous decision notice said a buildingwith more windows and architectural detailing, and with a properly pitched roof, might be looked upon more favourably. Mr Seymour’s supporting statement said: “The project will en-
hance the area by providing replacement structures in style and scale with the neighbouring property. Changes to the design have been made and an acceptable proposal is now being submitted.”
New co-ordinator for volunteers JANE Pantony from Barming has taken up a position as volunteer co-ordinator with Macmillan Cancer Support in Maidstone. She will be responsible for recruiting up to 20 volunteers who
will provide support for cancer patients, their close families and people involved in caring for them withinWest Kent. Support will include befriending, escorting them to appoint- ments, providing transport and helpingwith recreational activities such as gardening and library services. The post has been funded for three years and Jane will operate from Voluntary Action Maidstone inMarsham Street.
have happened overnight on August 27-28 at a commercial garage in Upper Stone Street, when a safe was broken into and money stolen. Also taken was a Delphi diagnostic ma- chine, worth about £2,000. Detectives want to hear from anyone who might have been offered such a machine for sale. DC Andrew Felton said: “We would like to speak to anyone who has been offered equip- ment, orwho saw anything sus- picious on the evening.” Anyone with any information
is asked to contact Kent Police on 101, quoting crime reference YY/15523/12. Alternatively, contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Gem shop raid POLICE investigating the theft of a £1,590 gold bracelet from a Maidstone jewellery store have released this image of a man they would like to speak to. The robbery happened at 2.55pm on August 2, after a man vis- ited the shop in Gabriel’s Hill and asked to view the bracelet. He then left the store without paying, turning right and run- ning into Palace Avenue. Officers believe the man in
the picture may be able to pro- vide important information. Anyone with any information
is asked to contact Kent Police by calling 101 and quoting crime reference YY/13833/12, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
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