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Concern at crash inquiry delay


THEprotracted nature of the inves- tigation into whether Kent’s crime commissioner had proper insur- ance when she was involved in a car crash has caused damage to the force, Ann Barnes, her office and the administration of justice. That was the conclusion of Kent


and Medway Police and Crime Panel, which referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints’ Commission last September and has just received its response – 13 months later. A statement from the panel de- scribed the time taken by the IPCC to consider the case as “inordinately long”, adding: “The objective of open and transparent justice may have been defeated by the lengthy time taken to investigate, which meant that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had to take a decision on prosecution without further in- vestigation; and the decision, with- out any explanation in the report, that a prosecution would not be in the public interest. ” The statement outlined the panel’s “particular disappointment” that


the IPCC did not interview Mrs Barnes until nearly five months after its referral. The IPCC investigation and the panel review followedan in- cident on September 16 last year when Mrs Barnes’ Mercedeswas in- volved in a collision with a car in Dartford, before hitting a tree, rais- ing questions about whether her journey between a shop and ameet- ingwas for business or pleasure and if she had cover on other occasions in the six months before. The panel cannot re-examine mat-


ters covered in the IPCC report but wants an assurance from Mrs Barnes that she now has a system to ensure that she, and her staff, can regularly produce evidence they are fully in- sured when driving on business. Mrs Barnes,whose term as Kent’s


Crime Commissioner ends in May, said: “This issuewas dealt with last February when the CPS, having re- viewed the evidence supplied by the IPCC, took the independent deci- sion not to charge me. I have fully co-operated with the IPCC’s lengthy investigation, and I am pleased the matter has finally been resolved.”


News Academy head goeswest


THE principal of Cornwallis Academy is to leave after Christmas. David Simons (pictured) is leaving the school, at Linton after 11 years to


pursue opportunities in theWest Country. Hesaid: “I would like to thank the staff, students and parents for their sup-


port during my time as principal. I leave the academy in a strong position and it will grow fromstrength to strength.” The academy, part of Future Schools Trust,


has appointed interim principal Isabelle Lin- ney-Drouet, who is currently vice-principal at Highworth Grammar School, Ashford, where she is responsible for raising the achievement of pupils to outstanding levels. Mrs Linney-Drouet said: "I am delighted to


have been given the responsibility to provide an environment where all our students aim high, always try their very best and show re- spect for all members of our community. I feel very proud to be part of Cornwallis’ commu- nity." Sir Nick Williams,CEOof Future SchoolsTrust, thankedDavid Simonsonbe-


half of the trust and said: “Wewish him the very best for the future. “I would also like to welcome Isabelle to the role of interim principal. I’m certain she will play a pivotal role in the future of Cornwallis’ success.”


Teenager guilty of shoplifting


A TEENAGER who pleaded guilty to shoplifting in Maidstone was given a suspended prison sen- tence at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court. Gary Morrison (18), of Maid-


stone Road, Chatham pleaded guilty to shoplifting and criminal damage after stealing two bottles of wine valued at £19.98 from a su-


permarket in Hermitage Lane, Maidstone. He also caused damage estim-


nated at £100 to the door of a shop in Pudding Lane, Maidstone. Magistrates sentenced Morrison


to 28 days in prison, suspended for 12 months. He must also pay £169 compensation and a criminal courts charge of £150.


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