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News Hit-and-run drink driver jailed


AN EAST Peckham woman who claimed she had no memory of knocking over a pedestrian has been sentenced to 16 months in prison. Alexandra Crouzieres was more


than three times the legal limit when she injured a man as he walked along the A228, Whetsted Road at Five Oak Green last year. Crouzieres, formerly of Hatches


Lane, was at the wheel on October 22, 2013 when the collision oc- curred. The force of the impact knocked the victim – a man in his 20s – off his feet and into a bush, leaving him with injuries to his back and a chipped tooth. Crouzieres drove away from the


scene before her Land Rover Free- landerwas involved in a further two collisions. The 34-year-old hit a bush


Rail bridge


is opened A NEW footbridge across the rail- way line atAylesford has been offi- cially opened to replace the old track crossing. The bridge links the Mill Hall business estate with the residential development off Mill Hall Road. It was installed in March over


one weekend after being delivered in pre-fabricated sections and was opened after formal approval was obtained from Kent County Coun- cil to divert the old footpath. The ceremonywas performed by


Tonbridge and Mallingward coun- cillors John Balcombe and Dave Smith. Cllr Balcombe said it was lucky there had been no fatalities on the old crossing over the years and the increasing development had made the new bridge even more necessary.


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AFORMER Kent County Council highways inspector from Ayles- ford who set up a lottery to help the air ambulance has reached a £70,000 milestone for the charity. Brian Pettitt (73) launched the Highways 101 Club in 1991 after the helicopter was called to a major accident on the M20. He was working for Kent County Council at the time and was in- volved in clearing wreckage from the crash site. After seeing the air ambulance


at work, he persuaded colleagues to sign up to the weekly draw to


and flower pots outside a property on Whetsted Road, before driving her car into the back of another ve- hicle shortly after. Police attended and followed her


to Tunbridge Wells Hospital after she was taken by ambulance com- plaining of neck and back pains. Crouzieres was breathalysed and then given a blood test. She was found to have 250 milligrams of al- cohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams of al- cohol in 100 millilitres of blood. In a police interview Crouzieres denied colliding with a pedestrian and said she didn’t recall seeing


anyone walking next to the road. She admitted to drinking two vodka and lemonades earlier that day, but insisted she had not been drunk. Crouzieres claimed she hadn’t been concentrating and had been tired. When asked if she would describe her driving as dangerous she replied: “Iwouldn’t say dangerous, but itwasn’t at its safest.” Appearing for sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court, Crouzieres had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop after a road accident. She was jailed for 16 months and disquali-


fied from driving for four years. She was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and will have to take an extended retest to apply for a new driving licence. PC Robert Harrison said: “Crouzieres’s reckless behaviour could easily have had fatal conse- quences. She gave no thought at all to other road users and due to her intoxicated state, her carwas essen- tially a lethalweapon. “I’m pleased that the court has recognised the seriousness of this of- fence, which will hopefully act as a reminder to motorists that there is never an excuse to drink and drive.”


Burger van cleans up with litter award


THE BLUE Gem snack bar has swept to success with an award for helping to keep a busy layby tidy. The burger van, which operates


beside the A228 close to the M20 J4, is a popular stop for long- distance lorry drivers. The voluntary litter code award


was presented after 12 consecutive monthly checks that the area around the snack bar was clean and tidy. Larkfield NeighbourhoodWatch


co-ordinator Stuart Ollson, who originated the scheme, said this was the first certificate awarded to a business in an A-road layby. “They should be applauded for providing it in a layby which has no


Parish council chairman David Thornewell (centre) with (fromleft) Stuart Olsson, Sam England, Mel Sutton and PCSO Suzi Leng


other facilities,” he said. The neighbourhood watch group


works with Tonbridge and Malling Council to reward firms who sign up to the code to keep the area around their premises free from litter.


The code has now spread to


Ditton and Snodland. The award was presented by East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council chairman David Thornewell to Sam England and Mel Sutton who run the snack bar.


Garden party marks charity status Farm homes plan


AGARDEN party with cream teas and an open day was held at All Saints’ Church, Snodland to cele- brate the 21st anniversary of the Friends of All Saints’ Church be- coming a charity. Dr Andrew Ashbee gave tours of the church and said: "The work of


the Friends has continued without interruption since it was formed and our thanks to the regular con- tributions of members each month. “The Gift Aid scheme has now


been established andwe can claim tax back from donations.”


FRUIT grower Marion Regan wants to convert an agricultural storage building at Two Gates Farm, Forge Lane, West Peckham into two houses for staff. Prior notification of the pro- posal has been submitted to Ton- bridge and Malling Council.


101 Club raises £70,000 to keep air ambulance flying


support the charity. With the help of his wife Lesley,


who does the accounts, the club now has 108 members paying £1 a week for the chance to win cash prizes of £35, £15 and £3.50. Brian is pictured at the helicop-


ter base with family and friends, handing over the latest £5,000 do- nation from the club. He added: “It’s brilliant to have


raised £70,000 and the same amount has been paid out in prize money. Thanks to all who support it and to collectors David Ardley and Ian Chambers.”


Malling September 2014 27


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