News
downsmail.co.uk Inquest into death of soldier AN inquest has heard how an Army captain from Allington was killed in Afghanistan when the
Canadian helicopter hewas travelling in spun out of control and hit a security fence. Captain Ben Babington-Browne
was trapped as the Griffon aircraft crashed, flipped over and burst into flames at the Forward Operat- ing Base Mescall, in Zabul Province. The helicopter had just picked up
Capt Babington-Browne, a former pupil of Maidstone Grammar School, andwas 10 seconds into its take-off when the accident hap- pened. Captain Babington-Browne – a “rising star” within the Army ranks – was just 27 and serving with the 22 Engineer Regiment. He was one of three people who died in the crash. The inquest into his death finally went ahead at County Hall in
Vandals aack
mayoral car THE windscreen of the Mayor of Maidstone’s civic car has been smashed in an act of vandalism in- volving several other vehicles. Bricks are reported to have been thrown at several cars and prop- erty during the attack in the early hours of Sunday, September 6, in Wouldham.
It is understood the mayor’s car – a Lexus – which was out of ac- tion for several days, was parked outside his chaffeur’s home. A spokesman for the borough council said: “The front wind- screen of the car was damaged and has been repaired by our in- surers.”
Police said a 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and re- leased on bail until December, pending further inquiries.
Maidstone – five years after the in- cident in July 2009, owing to the Canadian mili- tary authorities’ delay in provid- ing information, in spite of re- quests from the soldier’s family. The inquest
heard that the Griffon helicop-
terwas overloaded as it tried to lift out of the compound and the pilot lost sight of the ground as a dust ball engulfed the craft. The pilot’s efforts to correct
the helicopter inadvertently caused it to career into the security
fence and erupt in flames. Mid-Kent assistant coroner Andrew Campbell-Tiech noted that the inquest had proceeded without any evidence from those present at the scene of the crash, saying: “Araft of obvious questions concerning the immediate circum- stances of Captain Babington- Browne’s death has therefore gone unasked and unanswered.” They included, says his report,
why Captain Babington-Browne was sitting on the floor with his legs hanging out of the open door. Had anyone raised concerns about the landing area? How common were dustballs on take-off at FOB Mescall? And why was there no
Sunshine boosts fete takings
THE fete for Otham and Langley church fete made £3,300, thanks to the best weather for five years. Among winners at the event, at Otham Green, were Charlie, a three-year-old English springer owned by Jim and Claire Maxwell, from Heath Road, Langley. Charlie was declared to have the waggiest tail. Other notable pets included Tuppenny, owned by Elizabeth Vickers, from the church, who was judged most like her owner be- cause she wore a dog collar, and
Finch, the most obedient two-year- old working cocker, owned by Ken Brinsley, from Otham. Thanks were paid to fete com-
mittee members Dot Hooker, Steve Hughes, Anthea Gwinnett, David Nuttall, Keith Rendell, Sean Gentle and Scott Raffle and their helpers and for a donation from the con- gregation, which funded gazebos. Anyone interested in offering their help next year should contact Dot Hooker on 746571 or Scott Raffle on 863089.
Father killed in bike accident
TRIBUTES continue for Kevin Al- mond, a father-of-eight killed in an horrific motorbike accident at Hollingbourne on the A20 at just before 9.45am on Sunday, Septem- ber 14. No one else was involved. Police are appealing for anyone
who may have seen him riding his black Yamaha bike before the acci- dent. Mr Almond owned a hair salon in Herne Bay. Anyone with information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.
Boat reopens despite £12k debt Continued from page one
that we needed to set up a new company to trade again. “The restaurant itselfwas owned
by the bank and not by us. As di- rectorswe have personal loan guar- antees. The bank has allowed us to carry on trading under a new com- pany name to pay back the money we owe them. “The reason there is no money to
pay creditors or Maidstone Coun- cil is because the money owed to the bank was over and above the value of the property.” The council spokesman added: “When limited companies go into liquidation the shareholders’ re- sponsibilities are limited to the amount of any unsold shares in the
14 Maidstone East October 2014
company. The council and other creditors have no legal powers to directly recover money owed to them.” Mr Bailey (pic-
tured) says he has lost £180,000 of his own money in running the ves- sel. “The old com- pany
failed
because the over- heads, such as staffing costs,
were too high,” he said. “In this to- tally different company we have looked at the whole business and reduced a lot of the overheads.We are doing better thanwe did before when we got in this mess, but we have still got a hell of a lot ofmoney
to repay in a short space of time. “I would not wish this on any-
one. I have had to keepmyheadup and drive forward through very, very difficult times. I amleft with a debt that I didn’t have before. “Thousands of people have struggled through the recession and it is only through my tenacity that I am still here. My family has gone through the ropes but I can hold my head up high. “We are currently paying rates to Maidstone Council under the new company.” Council officers have recom- mended writing off £273,273 in rates owed by 17 businesses, who include clothes retailer Madhouse (£12,059) and leather luggage seller Boros (£29,337).
fire-fighting equipment? He concluded Captain Babing- ton-Browne died while on active duty in Afghanistan as a result of an accident. He had suffered mul- tiple injuries, but his death was di- rectly related to the post-crash fire and the inhalation of fire fumes. A series of 19 recommendations
was made to the Canadian military authorities in the context of the in- quest, including the provision of eye protection for pilotsworking in sandy conditions and the fitting of approved crashworthy seating or, at least, directions to passengers to be seated on the floor with their en- tire body inside the helicopter cabin.
Listed building to be extended
LISTED building consent was granted for the erection of a two- storey rear extension at High Farm, West Street, Lenham.
The parish council objected, claiming the extension – 5m deep, 6.6m wide and 8.8m high – would harm the character of the building which is thought to date back to the 15th century.
Cllr Colin Gillett said: “This
would represent an increase of 35% additional footprint of the original hall house and will significantly in- crease the roof area to the north el- evation. We would consider a lower extension more appropriate as it would not be seen from the road or neighbours’ property so promi- nently.” However, Maidstone Council’s planning committee granted con- sent for the addition, with 12 votes for and one abstention. Cllr Tony Harwood, a member of the committee, demanded that the council’s conservation officer “maintains a watching brief so we get matching materials” for the extension.
Sycamore hazard
A SYCAMORE tree in Detling is causing a “danger” and needs to be removed, according to a conserva- tion area application.
The owner of Tithe Barn in The Street, wrote: “The tree is next to Church Lane public highway, it overhangs into the church grounds. If it were to fall, Tithe Barn and the garage are all in its range. The tree also shades the garden.
Maidstone Council will decide. Formore local news
www.downsmail.co.uk
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