Restaurant closes after owner’s death
THE HENGIST restaurant in Aylesford High Street has closed suddenly following the death of its owner. Kent businessman Paul Smith
(43) was found dead on Sep- tember 1 at his home in the vil- lage. An inquest into his death was opened and the cause given as suspension. A statement on the award- winning Hengist’s website said: “Due to the sudden death of Paul Smith, owner of the prem- ises, the Hengist restaurant has had to close with immediate ef- fect. This unfortunate conse- quence of a tragic event is
A 55-YEAR-OLD man who was found dead at his lodgings in Carman’s Close, Loose, had a heart problem and suffered from a sleep disorder, a Maid- stone inquest heard. Coroner Patricia Harding
ruled that photographer Timo- thy Fenton died from natural causes at the home he had rented for two months.
especially saddening as he had worked tirelessly to ensure that Aylesford was graced with a first class restaurant, which he often frequented. It added: “We apologise for
any inconvenience caused to guests who have reservations and all our diners who, like the staff, enjoyed afternoons and evenings in this very special en- vironment. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.” With celebrity cook Richard Phillips as head chef, the Hengist had gained a wide- spread reputation as a fine din-
A post mortem examination showed he had a very enlarged heart and the inquest heard that he had been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, which can in- volve very heavy snoring and pauses in breathing. Ms Harding said that these
two factors had caused his death and that his high body mass index was also relevant.
Loose Infant School not inadequate IN last month’s Downs Mail we reported that Loose Infant School had scored a grade 3 (inadequate) in its latest Ofsted in- spection. Grade 3 is, in fact, given to schools that require im- provement, so Loose was not inadequate as stated.
ing venue. The restaurant had been trading until mid-Septem- ber and had bookings. Mr Smith,
of Rochester Road, was the founder of Regal Es- tates sales and lettings agency. He was awell-known figure in Kent and had been instrumental in a number of business ventures covering financial services, es- tate agency, designer retail out- lets, restaurants and pubs.
A MAN who beat his victim in an attack in Tovil, leaving him with multiple facial fractures, has been jailed for seven years. Kane Stammers (20), of Pen-
fold Close, Park Wood, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, after standing trial at Maidstone Crown Court alongside three other defendants. In April last year, a 40-year-
old man and a friend bumped into a group of men as they headed down a stairwell at Quarry Square. They had gone to investigate after the victim’s wife thought something had been thrown at their window.
A tribute from former col- leagues at Regal Estates, which has branches throughout the county, said he was “a larger than life character who could not help but be the life and soul of any situation he was in- volved in. Paul will be desper- atelymissedbymanyofthe staff at Regal Estates who had known him for many years and counted him as a friend.” Mr Smith was the original founder of the agency but had not owned the firm for some time. All branches closed for the day as a mark of respect on September 16.
Sleep disorder a cause of death Man jailed for vicious assault There was an altercation and
the victim punched one of them in self-defence. The victim was then punched and kicked re- peatedly in the head while on the floor. His friend ran back to the flat and called the police. Stammers was arrested and
later charged. He was found guilty and was remanded in cus- tody to await sentence. Appear- ing before Maidstone Crown Court, Stammers was sentenced to seven years in prison. Two other defendants were ac- quitted by the jury, and the fourth was found not guilty fol- lowing direction from the judge.
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