Disabled man dies after steps fall


A 43-YEAR-OLD disabled man from Lark- field died after crashing down a flight of steps in his wheelchair as he left a hotel by the wrong door. David Henley, of Cronin Close, had prob-


ably drunk 10 pints of beer at a colleague’s retirement party at the Grange Moor Hotel in St Michael’s Road, Maidstone, an inquest heard.


Friends rushed to help after he landed


face down at the foot of the steps, and para- medics arrived soon after. Mr Henley was rushed to the Tunbridge Wells Hospital in- Pembury, but died two hours later at 2am on February 25 last year. A post mortem examination showed he


died after sustaining facial injuries and vomiting and bleeding which entered his airways and lungs. He had an alcohol read- ing of nearly three times the legal drink-


THE Hengist restaurant at Aylesfordwas sold for £310,000 after the sudden death of its owner Paul Smith. The Grade II listed building in


the High Street was auctioned on October 31. The three-storey premises


was advertised by Clive Emson auctioneers as offering potential for continued use as a restau- rant or for conversion, subject to planning permission, after property receivers instructed the sale. The guide price for the freehold was £180-200,000. Mr Smith (43) was found dead at his home in nearby


POLICE are seeking witnesses to an assault in Maidstone which left a man suffering a suspected broken jaw. The 25 year-old victim was


struck in the face by a heavy ob- ject after two men, believed to be known to him, had called out to him as he made his way along Sutton Road. The attack happened close to the junction with Northumberland Road, be- tween June 10 and 15, but has only recently been reported to


drive limit. An administration assistant with Kent County Council, Mr Henley,who was born with spina bifida, was well- known and liked and led an independent life. He left the hotel at midnight when a taxi arrived to take him home and tragically chose the wrong door, despite being famil- iar with the exit arrangements. Sgt Paul Raines told the hearing at the Archbishop’s Palace, Maidstone, it was not noted at the time whether appropriate signs were on the doors. “I believe these were added after the incident,” he said. The inquest heard that health and safety inspectors had previously approved the hotel arrangements. They had reported that more signage to an exit ramp would be use- ful for wheelchair users but this did not amount to a breach of regulations.


Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant coroner Alison Grief said: “This was not the first time he had been to this hotel. He was familiar with the layout and had previously used the ramp exit. He had had a very enjoyable night out with his friends and was aware of the correct exit. “I am satisfied that the events of that night


were a tragic accident. His friends and the staff and paramedics did all they could to assist him. He was clearly a dearly loved man.” Mr Henley’s mother, Christine, said: “We


are glad he had such a good evening, we have always looked at it that way. His health was not good and it could have been that he had a miserable ending, lying ill in a bed. It happened far too early, but what a way to go – enjoying himself, laughing and chatting with his friends.”


Sale of restaurant follows death School lauded


Rochester Road, on September 1. An inquest was opened and the cause of his death given as suspension. Two weeks after


Man’s jaw broken in street attack


the police. The victim believes he was knocked unconscious for at least 15 minutes and it is believed he also suffered a frac- tured eye socket. Police are keen to speak to a


member of the public who pro- vided assistance and told the victim he saw him being at- tacked and kicked. Detective Constable Wes Marston said: “This appears to have been an unprovoked at- tack.”


Water on tap SOUTH East Water’s new £360,000 water main is now supplying fresh tap water to Maidstone. This follows an upgrade pro- gramme lasting three and a half months, which saw a new sec- tion of water main installed along the A20 London Road at Ditton. James Smith, delivery man-


GUY Pollak from Bearsted and Thurnham Club visited Demelza Hospice Care for Children on behalf of the parish council to present a cheque for £508 raised from the proceeds of a raffle at Music on the Green.


Raffle donation 34 East


ager for South EastWater, said: “I would like to thank the local community and motorists for their patience and co-operation while this important project was completed.” The work forms part of the company’s five-year £390 mil- lion investment programme which will ensure that clean, safe water continues to be de- livered to its customers.


the tragedy, staff announced the closure of the restaurant. Well-known in Kent business circles, Mr Smith was the founder of Regal Estates sales and letting agency but had not owned the firm for some time. The Hengist had gained a widespread reputation as a fine dining venue after being launched in 2005 by Mr Smith with celebrity chef Richard Phillips. The pair also worked together


on several other ventures in- cluding The Windmill in Hollingbourne and Thackeray’s in TunbridgeWells.


Drive ‘damage’ LISA Godfrey says she wants to fell a protected oak tree at 17 Forestdale,Walderslade. Her application form says the


tree’s roots are causing damage to a shared driveway at the front of the property. Maidstone Council will de- termine the planning applica- tion.


by Ofsted OFSTED inspectors whowent to the Maplesden Noakes School in Buckland Road, Maidstone found the students were achiev- ing well and making good progress. Pupils in years 7 to 11 achieved better than expected GCSE grades and students were enthusiastic, well-behaved and ready to learn. The sixth form was said to be a


real strength of the school. It was growing in popularity, and progress had improved. Much of the teaching for these years was said to be outstanding. The headwas said to have de- veloped leadership capacity at all levels, with middle leaders playing a major role in raising achievement. They were sup- ported and challenged by the board of governors. Students had a real voice through the school council, and the school worked hard to get parents involved. Staff morale was high,with many saying how much they enjoyed their work.


Fun weekend boosts charity THE landlords of The Dog&Gun pub in Boxley Road,Maidstone, held aweekend of live music and entertainment inmemory of one of their pub regulars and raised £1674 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Lesley Lewis, who has been running the pub since 2009 with her partner Jonah Hughes-Jones, said: “We de- cided to do a fundraising event in memory of Tommy King, who was taken from us all in January 2013 after being diagnosedwith cancer. We raised the money from a raffle with prizes donated by friends and local companies. We also went round with buckets that people put their loose change into. It was a fantastic weekend and we’re delighted that so much was raised.” Kent fundraising manager Moira Mitchell, who is pictured with Mr Hughes-Jonews, said: “This money is enough to fund a Macmillan nurse for 67 hours, helping cancer patients in hospital and within the community, so they should be tremendously proud of them- selves.”


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