News Benefit fraud


conviction AWOMAN from East Malling has been sentenced to four months’im- prisonment, suspended for one year, for committing benefit fraud. Grace Bradley (43), of Clare


Wood Drive, East Malling, admit- ted failing to notify the relevant au- thorities of a change in her circumstances. Maidstone Crown Court heard


Ms Bradley failed to tell Tonbridge and Malling Council and the De- partment for Work and Pensions that her partner was living with her. As a result, she was overpaid £7,902 in council tax benefit and £58,681 in income support. The investigation began after council officers noted that Ms Bradley, a homeowner, had moved to a more expensive property. Sev- eral links were found between Ms Bradley and her self-employed, long-term partner. MsBradley will have to repay the money she fraudulently claimed. Cllr Martin Coffin, Tonbridge


and Malling Council’s cabinet member for finance, innovation and property, said: “Our benefit in- vestigation team will follow up every lead to ensure that people who defraud the benefit system are caught and brought to justice.”


downsmail.co.uk


Schools mourn loss of ‘inspirational’ head


PUPILS have returned to school in Malling with heavy hearts, follow- ing the death of head teacher Mark Geadah, two weeks before the start of term. Mr Geadah (43) was made execu-


tive head of Aylesford Primary School last year andwas also head at Allington Primary School. His body was found by his wife,


Lesley, in the summer house at their homein Beech Drive, Maidstone, on August 24. The popular teacher, whowas said to be preparing to take on even more schools, was found hanged. He also leaves two sons. An inquest was opened into his


death on Monday, September 1, at which coroner’s officer Linda Moore said: “He had been treated by hisGP for depression for several months, due to pressure ofwork.” A Facebook page set up in his memory had 400 tributes from pupils, teachers and friends andwas continuing to attract posts as the DownsMailwent to press.Manyde- scribed him as “inspirational” and a “wonderful teacher”.


One comment reads: “He was a


head teacher you could talk to about anything. It’s terrible that the thing hewas so good at led him to this.” Aylesford


governor and chief executive officer of Val- ley Invicta Academies Trust Dr Philip Limbert said Mr Geadah’s death had left a


great void in the lives of all those whoworked alongside him. He added: “Mark was a National Leader of Education, a role which re- quires gifted headteachers to share their expertise with other schools. “Last year, he worked as head- teacher of Allington and Aylesford primary schools andAylesford, part of the Valley Invicta Academies Trust, made excellent progress. “He will be greatly missed as a colleague and a friend and by the children for whose education he cared so passionately.”


In nine years, Allington Primary


School had been inspected twice by Ofsted, while Mr Geadahwas head. On both occasions it was rated out- standing. Ward councillor Dan Daley said:


“All who knew Mark will recognise the desperate loss of a truly inspira- tional teacher – one who engaged with his pupils and whoseworkwas rewarded by the astonishing year- on-year results of this delightful scene of early years’ learning.” MrGeadah had previously taught


at Roseacre Junior School in Maid- stone. Former pupil Jocelyn Med- hurst wrote on Facebook: “He got me interested in history when he showed us a photo album from his trip to Egypt. I also remember he brought a parrot into school! I amso sad he’s passed away so young.” Concerns were expressed on the


site about the pressures of school life which he may have faced An inquest will hear the facts


whenit is resumed byMidKent and Maidstone CoronerPatricia Harding on November 11.


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