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Mystery of fire death in ‘cannabis farm’ barn


Schoolgirl’s


death inquiry POLICE are still piecing to- gether the events surrounding the death of Zoe Georgiou (16), a pupil at Invicta Grammar School, as she walked along a road in Coxheath. Officers want to hear from


anyone who may have seen Zoe and her boyfriend on the B2163 Heath Road, near Georgian Drive, at about 6pm on Satur- day, January 11. Shewas in a col- lision with a silver Mazda travelling towards Boughton Monchelsea and died at the scene. Police say itwas not a hit-and-


run incident, nor was the driver of the Mazda arrested. Friends of Zoe’s, many from


the sixth form at Invicta, left messages and flowers (pictured above) at the place where she died. One friend wrote: “I am heartbroken.” Another said: “We will miss you so much.” Anyone with information should call 01622 798538.


A MAN died from severe burns and smoke inhalation after fire swept through a barn that contained a system suitable for growing cannabis. The body of Daniel Price (42)was


found in the building at Forstal Farm, Loose, after the blaze had passed its height, but a Maidstone inquest heard it was not clear why he had gone in there. The open-fronted barnwas filled


with hay, which was stacked around a container fitted with high-powered lights and hydro- ponics equipment.Apower supply had been fitted that bypassed the meter. Mr Price’s estranged wife Caro-


line, with whom he remained on good terms, said he regularly vis- ited the farm to see his children, adding: “I was not aware of any- thing he may have rigged up.”


His brother, Ben, with whom he co-owned the farm, also told the in- quest hewas not aware of the culti- vation system. A self-employed gardener, Mr


Price had been seen by his girl- friend of nearly four years, Sharon Carpenter, at around 7am on the day of the fire. They spoke by text throughout the day, with his last message at 2.18pm. His son Jimmy (19) said in a statement he had chatted to his fa- ther in the farm yard that afternoon before driving away. Shortly after, at 3.20pm, a neigh-


bour rang him to tell him the barn was on fire. He saw smoke and called out for his father, but the


building was in full flame. Forensic scientist Emma Wilson,


who investigated for the fire serv- ice, said Mr Price’s bodywas found next to the container. She identified several potential causes of the blaze including a discarded cigarette, faulty wiring, high level of heat from the lighting, the hay self-ig- niting or a naked flame. Recording a narrative conclusion, Coroner Patricia Harding said it was not clear how the fire started although there was no evidence of third party involvement. His rea- son for being in the barn was also unclear. She said: “It may well be that he saw the fire starting and went to put it out.”


Hospice boost


YEAR 12 business students fromCorn- wallis Academy presented Heart of Kent Hospice with a cheque for more than £500, raised at a charity quiz night. The event, which took place at Cox-


The team presenting a cheque to hospice community fundraiser, Paula Ray (third fromright) and volunteer Dyanne Cox (fourth from right)


heath Village Hall, included a cake sale and raffle.


SEVERALtrees may be removed at The Cottage, High Street, Marden. Jane Brearley has applied for con-


Bid to remove trees at cottage Office conversion resubmied Ms Ang wants to move because


servation area consent to fell a cherry, a crab apple and a fruit tree at the northern boundary to High Street; a pear, hawthorn, elder, ash and fruit trees at the eastern bound- ary next to the library and public car par; a walnut, holly, elder and two ash trees on the southern


MAIDSTONE and the Weald MP Helen Grantwas the third most fre- quent ministerial user of chauffeur- driven cars in the Government. There are over 100 ministers. The MP used so-called “top-up”


cars 155 times last year, in addition to a number of chauffeur-driven journeys she was allowed using cars run by her own department. The revelation comes from a Freedom of Information request to the Department of Transport. Sports minister Mrs Grant came


third to Lib Dem former justice minister Lord McNally (293 jour- neys) and Lady Hanham (176), a minister in the communities de- partment.


12


boundary to the rear of bungalows in Merchant Place; a group of hawthorns, yews, elms and ash trees on thewestern boundary next to Rookery Path. The applicant also wants to un- dertake otherwork such as pruning and crown lifting but plans to re- place many of the trees and estab- lish hedges. Maidstone Council will determine the application.


JEAN Ang has made another at- tempt to convert an office into a home in PaddockWood. In March 2012 her planning ap- plication to change the use of The Stables, Willow Lane, into a resi- dential dwelling was refused by Maidstone Council due to a lack of evidence supporting her deci- sion to move her publishing busi- ness away from the area.


of poor internet speeds and a de- sire for larger accommodation in a less isolated location. A report by Lambert and Foster, which has marketed the property on her be- half, said: “There has been very limited interest in The Stables and no offers have been submitted.” The council will determine the application


MP’s car perk Riverside homes may be moved


OWNERS of a park home site who battled with Maidstone Council for planning permission now say they could relocate – away from the Yalding flood plain. John Hilden and Gary Haf- fenden, owners of the Riverview Caravan Park in Hampstead Lane, Yalding, have had horns locked for months with the council over the terms of use of the site, on the banks of the Medway. Four of a possible 17 plots are


now occupied, and the site was re- cently granted a certificate of law- ful development. However, the site owners fear the


Maidstone South February 2014


area will be blighted, along with the rest of the village, which was devastated in the Christmas floods. Mr Hilden has now asked the


parish council whether it will back them in moving away from the site to a new location – which might not necessarily be in the parish. Chairman Cllr Geraldine Brown


said: “Perhaps now they realise why the council insists on seasonal use.


“We would gladly support them


in moving from there – but we would need to know where they would be moving to.” Residents, many of whom


bought their homes relatively re- cently, primarily for their attractive riverside location, now wonder what the future might hold for them. Viv and Terry Cooper moved


into their luxury home just a week before the flood. They and their neighbours Mavis and Frank Matthews were away over Christ- mas, but other people had to be res- cued by boat. Mr Hilden was on holiday and


unavailable for comment as the Downs Mail went to press. He had not been in touch with the residents about the possible relocation.


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