News Car damage


man in court A 63-YEAR-OLD Maidstone man who caused damage esti- mated at £4,000 to a Mercedes SLK parked in the town’s Church Street was given a sus- pended prison sentence when he appeared at Mid Kent Mag- istrates’ Court. John Allen, of Church Street, pleaded guilty to criminal dam- age, common assault, posses- sion of a bladed article and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. Allen damaged the car on July 31, when he also assaulted a man and used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. He had a knife in a leather holder. He was sentenced to 120 days in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.


He must also pay £500 com- pensation, a £180 criminal courts charge, £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.


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Ruby’s thanks after Scout trip to Japan


YALDING Scout Ruby Haigh has said a big thank you to all the sup- porters who enabled her to spend three weeks travelling in Japan. Ruby (14), from Vicarage Road,


was one of 108 Scouts and Guides from Kent and East Sussex chosen to represent the UK in the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Kirara-hama. Of the 4,000 youngsters who went from the UK, other locals included Nicole Finch from Marden, who at- tends Invicta Grammar School; Charlie Arthur and Robert Latch- ford, both from Marden; MidKent College student Ollie Knight; and Kings Hill’s Dom Phipps and Emilie Tenbroek.


A member of the Yalding Beult Scout troop, Ruby had to find £2,500 to finance the trip and spent a busy few months bag-packing at a super- market and holding fund-raising events in and around the village, as well as at Maidstone Girls’ Grammar School, where she is a student. Ruby was a member of the “Rolling Scones” unit, which visited Japanese families, sampling their


Elderly scams after pension reforms


OVER 55s in Maidstone are being warned to be wary after an escala- tion in pension-related scams. The Citizens Advice bureau says fraudulent calls have rocketed since new pension reform rules came into effect four months ago. Two of five CAB pensions’ staff


have encountered people targeted by fraudsters, offering fake invest- ment scams. A further one in 10 have seen people who had either responded to or fallen prey to a scam. Scammers are targeting the cash lump sums people can release from their pension pots – particu- larly now that the over 55s fall into this category.


In some scams fraudsters request access to people’s pension pots and then so they can invest them into financial products on their behalf. Despite offering a high rate of re- turn, scammers were unable to ex- plain what the investments were. Others involve a people being texted or cold-called with offers of a free pension review. The caller then asks to visit the person in their own home, bringing paper- work that would allow them to get access to their pension details. Bonny Malhotra, chief executive at Maidstone CAB, said: “One man responded to an internet ad for a


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free pension review, filled in his details, and was visited by some- one claiming to be an independent financial adviser who couldn’t de- scribe any investments.” People were also approached with offers to invest their pension cash into products such as property overseas or fine wines. One investment scam featured two salesmen – one who visited the potential customer to get access to his pension details, and a second to encourage him to invest his pen- sion and any other savings into property in South Africa. Mr Malhotra added: “Scammers are finding new ways to go after people’s pension pots including offering free pension reviews and promising to invest funds that don’t necessarily exist. “If you’ve had an offer or signed up to a pension scheme you’re un- sure about, I urge you to contact Citizens Advice Maidstone [01622 752420] where our staff can offer free help and support.” To avoid being scammed, never be rushed into a decision and check if the company contacting you is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). If you are unsure, contact The Pensions Advisory Service on 0300 123 1047.


Maidstone Town October 2015 Hedgerow demand


MAIDSTONE councillors ordered that a development of 35 homes in Barming should only take place if a hedgerow is retained.


Land at Bell Farm is earmarked for housing in Maidstone Coun- cil's emerging local plan, but only with strict landscaping conditions that include the retention of the landscaping as well as a gap of at least 5m between the North Street frontage and the road. However, the proposal – com- prising 18 two-bedroom and 17 three-bedroom houses – did not meet these conditions because it would have led to the removal of the hedge on the western side of North Street. The plan included a new junction with North Street, with the proposed houses fronting a new road. There were also 57 objections from local residents, as well as op- position from Barming and Teston parish councils. Concerns raised included additional traffic and road congestion; highways safety; loss of privacy; and adverse im- pact on neighbours.


In addition, Maidstone Council's housing department was unhappy at the provision of only 30% af- fordable housing.


Cllr Tony Harwood, a member of the council's planning commit- tee, said: “The strategic planning committee asked that any devel- opment be set back 5m from North Street to protect hedgerows and landscaping. “But we are now seeing an urban approach. There is no open space or a sustainable drainage scheme. This is only 35 units; we can get this right but it sure ain't right tonight.”


The committee agreed to defer the proposal to enable planning of- ficers to negotiate a scheme with the applicant to rectify concerns about these issues as well as an un- wanted shared access. Cllr Paulina Stockell said: “This could result in backland develop- ment and more gardens going. It will change the area considerably. We need a much better design and layout.”


Scout Ruby Haigh with Hollie Honeyman from Upchurch and Nicole Finch from Marden, who also travelled to Japan


way of life as well as their food and customs.


One highlight was going cor- morant fishing; a downside was the extreme heat – mid 30s – and exces- sive 95% humidity.


During the 12 days of the Jam- boree in Yamaguchi City, Ruby en- joyed many camp-based activities, including concerts and cooking, sampling food from around the world.


She also got to travel on one of the country’s high-speed bullet trains and visited Hiroshima just a few days before the 70th anniversary of the first atomic bomb being


dropped.


Each unit had made origami peace cranes, which were left at the site as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the atrocity.


Following the camp, where many new friendships were made, the unit travelled to the capital city of Tokyo where Ruby visited the Sky Tree Tower and other famous landmarks. She said: “I was really proud to represent Yalding, Kent and UK Scouts and I know I could not have enjoyed this amazing trip without the generous support I have had from so many people in and around Yalding.”


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