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News Fight goes on to get Fred home FAMILY and friends of former Maidstone barman Fred Buenavista vowed to continue their cam-


paign to reverse a deportation order and bring him back from the Philippines. Mr Buenavista, from Leybourne,


was granted a temporary reprieve on compassionate grounds and re- leased from Dover Immigration Re- moval Centre to spend time with his father,Alan Pratt, whowas hav- ing stomach surgery. The 32-year- old then left theUKin the hope that if he did so voluntarily, he can apply for a new visa after 12 months.


Campaigners who are fighting to


bring him back were planning to take a petition with 3,500 signa- tures in his support to Downing Street. Mr Buenavista, who lived near Leybourne Lakes, moved to this country from New Zealand with his family at the age of 19. He was a popular barman at the Royal Al- bion in Havock Lane for several years before his work permit ex-


Council warns


of scam callers TONBRIDGE and Malling Council haswarned residents to bewary of unsolicited phone calls from people claiming to work for the council and asking for confirmation of bank account details. Thewarning came after the coun-


cil received several reports from concerned residents who received a bogus call from a man posing as a council officer and claiming to work in the council tax section. In this latest scam, the caller tells residents that their property is in the wrong council tax band and that they are entitled to a refund. The scammer then asks for confir- mation of bank account details so that a refund can be made. Sharon Shelton, the borough council’s director of finance, said: “This is the latest in a range of scams aimed at tricking people to part with their bank details and their cash. “Our officers never telephone residents to ask them to confirm their bank details over the phone and we are urging residents to be extremelywary of these unscrupu- lous individuals, who may use a variety of tactics to try to get them to part with personal details or money.”


ticity of anyone purporting to be from Tonbridge and Malling Coun- cil’s council tax team by calling 01732 876388.


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refused his appeal against deporta- tion.


The former UCA student was


due to be flown on Monday, Sep- tember 15 to the Philippines, which he left when hewas four.However, he was told that he was being re- leased that day to his family, pend- ing a review of his case. Mr Buenavista’s mother Maria, stepfather Alan Pratt and sisters are British citizens, but he does not hold similar citizenship. His case has won support from


pired 18 months ago. Supporters launched an online campaign after his documents ex- pired and mounted a protest out- side the Dover centre where hewas being held. The former barmanwas taken there after the Home Office


MP Tracey Crouch who said she would continue to press for ameet- ing with Home Secretary Theresa May, adding: “I will now try to overturn the deportation decision.” Dustin Burton, who organised


the campaign, said officials had in- dicated that if Mr Buenavista left voluntarily he would then be eligi-


ble to apply for a visa after one year, rather than 10 if he was de- ported. The online petition continues to


attract support. Caroline Selby wrote: “I have known Fred for many years. He is one of the kind- est people who is always working hard. If he is deported he will be missed by so many in the commu- nity. Fred is someone who we should fight to keep in the country, not kick him out into a country that he no longer knows.” Another supporter, Sharon


Wood, said: “Fred is a well-known and much-loved important part of Maidstone life. Heworks hard and pays hisway. He is neither a threat or a drain on society. Stop picking on easy targets and concentrate on those who mean us harm!”


Dogs are the stars of town’s show


DOGS and their owners from across the South East arrived in Snodland for this year's Fun Dog Show in the cricket meadow. There were seven pedigree


classes and 10 novelty classes including most appealing eyes, best male, best female, the dog the judge would like to take home and best six legs. The show was organised by


Lorraine Baseden, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's Dog Warden, featuring David Knight and Jemma Simmons, from East Malling, who run Beth's Dog


Shows. The couple's cousin, Sarah, died four years ago, aged 27, and they have raised £100,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity and other charities. Beth was their German shepherd


dog, who they adopted from kennels 14 years ago where she was taken after being badly treated. Beth died earlier this year and Lorraine presenting them with a canvas of Beth. Pictured right is Missy, a


retriever/white German shepherd dog cross, with owner Lynne Calder of Tonbridge.


Courier jailed for failing to pay VAT


A LARKFIELD courier who failed to pay more than £325,000 in VAT was jailed after admitting he fabricated his accounts in a bid to dodge tax. Anthony Hyde (51), of Masefield Road, who operates TK Courier Services, registered for VAT in 2007. After he avoided meetings with HM Revenue and Customs, compliance officers discovered that for five years he had deliberately misreported his figures to avoid paying tax.


COUNCILLORS will visit a field at West Malling in an effort to deter- mine a plan to convert farm build- ings into an office. A decision over whether to replace


He was told by HMRC that he


owed £325,623 in VAT, and subse- quently appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, charged with fraudu- lently evading VAT. Alan Tully, HMRC assistant direc-


tor, criminal investigation, said: “An- thony Hyde ran a successful business, but once he began deceiv- ing HMRC it became very difficult to stop. By the time he admitted his crimes, he had incurred a huge debt.


“It is simply not fair for some peo- ple to operate at an unfair advantage by failing to pay the taxes that other legitimate businesses have to pay. We are focusing more effort than ever on stamping out this type of fraud, and will not hesitate to take action against cheats.” Hyde was sentenced to two years imprisonment. He will serve one year in prison and one year on li- cence.


Residents can verify the authen- Site visit to decide office plan Shoplifter jailed Jeannett Bellamy.


three sheds at Appledene Farm with a 108sqm office block, with parking, was deferred by Tonbridge and Malling planning committee. The applicant is Ditton ward councillor


The green belt site, in Norman Road – next to the gun shop – has at- tracted objections from the parish council and residents who say it would create traffic problems, hin- dering access to the village hall. Neighbours also fear it will set a precedent for other commercial buildings in the area.


CHARLIE Hadland (23), of River Way, Larkfield was jailed for 27 days by Medway Magistrates’ Court after he admitted two counts of shoplifting. Hadland stole DVDs worth £118.82 and £79.14 on the same day from two stores in Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre.


Malling October 2014 29


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