Armed robbers’ phone boasts


AVIOLENT gang who targeted a shop in Larkfield landed them- selves in court after boasting of their antics on their mobile phones. They even sent pictures of themselves – one of them hold- ing a gun they had used. The four men, who committed violent robberies across Kent and Sussex – appeared at Maidstone Crown Court. The jury heard they targeted


six stores, terrifying staff by wearing balaclavas and bran- dishing knives or a gun. On one occasion they stole


cash, stamps and cigarettes worth more than £8,000 from a shop in Larkfield after forcing staff to open the safe. The court heard that despite


going out of their way to avoid detection, some of the men could not keep their actions to them- selves, creating a Blackberry Messenger group named “Armed


robbers” and taking “selfies”, one of which showed them pos- ing with a handgun. When detectives swooped on


Terry Sullivan’s home, they found images of him posing in the blue pyjama bottoms covered with cartoon sheep, worn in one of the robberies. Officers from the Kent and


Essex Serious Crime Directorate went on to arrest five men for the robberies. Thomas Balderston, 24, Christopher Aldred, 23, Christopher Heath, 31, Daniel Jarrett, 24, Terry Sullivan, 24, all formerly from Chatham, were charged with possessing a firearm with intent to commit an offence and conspiracy to rob. Heath and Sullivan admitted


their guilt, but Balderston and Aldred were also found guilty. The jury was unable to reach a decision on Jarrett. The men were to be sentenced at the beginning of November.


Quiz night for cancer charity MAIDSTONEMacmillan FundraisingGroup is hosting a quiz night in The Spitfire Lounge atMaidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium on the evening of Thursday, November 28. Tickets are £8 per person, ideally for teams of 10, with a platter


of hot food per table. There will also be a raffle with great prizes. Call Moira on 07801 307064 or email mmitchell@macmillan.org.uk


Hilda’s youthful secrets


WHENHilda Browncameinto theworld, King GeorgeVwasonthe throne and England was enjoying its last year of peace before the outbreak of WorldWar One. A century later, spritely


Hilda, who lives in Bearsted, has just celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends. She still leads an independent life and at- tributes her youthful com- plexion to her face cream. Born on October 13, 1913


to Henry and Nancy Costen, Hilda spent her childhood in Burham. Her father worked at the brickworks and Hilda andher brothers,Harry,George and Lee, attended the village school. The family home – Rose Cottage – which stood next to theWindmill pub in Rochester Road, has since been replaced by modern houses. Hilda,whois pictured with herchildren,went toworkat theFosterClark canning factory inHart Street, Maidstone, and thenAylesford paper mill. She met her husband Dick, just before World War Two, and settled


downtoabusy lifeasafarmer’s wife. They had three children, Barry (now 72), Valerie (71) and Anthony (69), followed by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Daughter Valerie Chittenden said:“Mumhas alwaysworked hard. She


knewhowtomake butter, pluck pheasants and skin rabbits.” Besides running his farm at Detling, Dick became well-known in the


Maidstone area as a haulage and demolition contractor. In the 1960s and 70s, Hildaworked at the Sharp’s toffee factory in St


Peter’s Street, Maidstone. At the age of 67, she beganworking as a vol- unteer cook with Age Concern in Fant Lane. Valerie,wholives inWeaveringStreet, said: “Shebakedeverything her-


self and my parents’ kitchen would be full of lovely pies on a Sunday morning ready to go on the Monday.” Widowed20years ago, Hilda still leadsanindependent lifewithadaily


visit from one of the family. “She still does her own cooking and even after retiring, has always done gardeningor something,” saidValerie. Be- sidesafamily partyandabirthday card fromtheQueen,Hilda celebrated her big day with a trip to Folkestone for a fish and chip lunch.


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