News Woman stole


from sick dad A WOMAN from Kings Hill who stole from a sick relative to fund her own lifestyle has been jailed for fraud.


Linda Cooper (50), formerly of Durello Avenue, was jailed for 12 months after stealing more than £35,000 from her father, who was suffering from dementia. She had admitted two charges of fraud at Maidstone Crown Court. She had been trusted to manage Raymond Bartholomew's money, while hewas receiving care in hos- pitals and nursing homes. How- ever, between 2007 and 2012 Cooper dipped into her father’s funds to pay for her own living ex- penses, meals out and holidays. Family members raised the alarm


in 2012, following suspicions that thousands of pounds had been spent without permission of the victim, who died last year. Detective Constable Brian Els-


don, of Kent Police’s Public Protec- tion Unit, said: “Cooper knew he was no longerwell enough to keep an eye on his own finances and used this to her advantage to de- posit large sums of money into her own bank accounts.” Cooper was sentenced to a fur-


ther eight months, to be served con- currently, for a failure to declare the extent of her father’s assets to Kent County Council, which was par- tially funding his care bill.


Bluebell walk THE annual BluebellWood charity walk in Upper Halling will take place on Saturday, May 3. Pat Lawry, who organises the


walk in memory of his late wife, said more than £14,000 had been raised for the Eve Appeal, for re- search into gynaecological cancers, by previouswalks. The 6.5km walk starts at Brown-


dens Road car park opposite Ju- bilee Hall, Upper Halling at 10am. It takes about two and a half hours.


downsmail.co.uk


Farm shop ad banners ‘large and intrusive’


ADVERTISING signs outside anAylesford shop have been condemned as eyesores after being in place for 22 years. Holtwood Farm Shop has been


told by Tonbridge and Malling Council that a trio of signboards outside its premises in London Road cannot be retained as they are too large and intrusive and are poorly designed and sited. The decision follows complaints


fromAylesford Parish Council and a number of objectors about the size and impact of the adverts, two being 5m by 1.5m and one being 3m by 1.5m. One resident complained that the growth of the shop had led to a proliferation of advertising signs which did not have planning con- sent and “which culminates with the intrusive huge turkey at Christ- mas time”. Another objector said; “The shop


is more and more of an eyesore.” The firm had argued the signage was necessary to maintain trade


and that the farm shop, in the cur- rent economic climate, was strug- gling to maintain its existence. The council acknowledged the


need for the business to advertise its products and services and had no wish to inhibit economic growth. “However, this economic need


does not, in this instance, outweigh the harm caused by the signage”,


Good report for pre-school


CHILDREN felt confident and at ease at Devonshire Rooms Pre- school inWaghorn Road, Snodland, according to an Ofsted report. The staff were welcoming and made good use of children’s inter-


ests to help them make progress with their learning. The pre-school, which maintained its good rating, had good qual-


ity furniture and resources and staff used the space competently. They formed strong relationships with parents, which con- tributed to children’s development and welfare. The pre-school was not rated outstanding as staff did not always take advantage of op- portunities to develop early literacy skills.


Run London to boost funds for hospice


HEART of Kent Hospice has a limited number of places for runners who would like to take part in the British London 10K on Sunday, July 13. Runners taking up the offer of a place are asked to raise a minimum


£200. For more information, email fundraising@hokh.co.uk or call 01622 790195. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.


Kerry is new youth commissioner


STUDENT Kerry Boyd has been appointed as Kent’s new youth commissioner, nearly a year after her predecessor quit the job after just a few days. Kerry (19), from Margate, started part-time in her new role on March 5, before taking it up full-time at the beginning of April. The announcement comes after teenager Paris Brown, from Isle of Sheppey,was appointed to the role but quit six days later, in April 2013, after it emerged she had posted offensive remarks on Twit- ter.


Kerry, who is taking a gap year


from her degree in education and business studies, is an active runner


8 Malling March 2014


and a keen supporter of Chelsea FC. She also enjoys driving, music and was a London 2012 Olympic torchbearer. Her role will include working


with schools, colleges and univer- sities to de- liv er educational packages on wider is- sues such as knife crime, drugs, how to stay safe, as well as finding out policing priorities.


She said: “I’m very pleased in-


deed that I’ve got the job – it was a role that was calling out to me. For me this is about giving young peo- ple a voice in society and finding out what the younger generation want from the police and wider agencies. Like the commissioner, I will always be out and about in local communities.” Kent Police and Crime Commis-


sioner Ann Barnes said: “Kerry re- ally stood out for me as a strong-minded young lady who has a hunger to make a difference. I’mconfident that Kerry has lots of exciting ideas to make sure that young people are involved in fu- ture policing.”


said a planning officer’s report. The signs contained a variety of illus- trations as well as lettering, which added to the general clutter. Councillors were told the big


turkey sign appeared annually and would not need planning permis- sion if itwas displayed for no more than 28 days. Two other large per- manent signs at the site already had consent.


Help for new


businesses ENTREPRENEURS have a new re- source at their disposal in Maid- stone to help them launch their own business. The Enterprise Foundation is providing affordable work desks, grants, workshops, signposting and support at the refurbished Medvale House on Mote Road – once the HM Passport and HMRC offices. The charity is specifically hoping


to help the out-of-work, under 30s, over 50s and those with disabilities, aswell as ex-Service personnel. The £90,000 refurbishment of the 5,800sqft Maidstone centre has been funded by the charity and of- fers its members free wifi, casual meeting space, formal training rooms and regularworkshops. It is only the third centre of its


kind to be opened by the charity in the UK. Chief executive Keith Powney


said: “Speaking from personal ex- perience, starting a new business can be tough. This is why we want to provide a professional but nur- turing environment for new busi- nesses to base themselves from. “We also want to find people


who have a great idea and just need an extra bit of guidance and sup- port.” Find out more by logging on to


www.enterprisefoundation.net or calling 0300 1231060.


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