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News Drink ‘no excuse for crimes’
TWOmen who threw objects at cars from a bridge over a busy road have been jailed for more than two years each.
Curtis Pennells (20), formerly of Trench Road, Tonbridge and An- drew Spencer (24), formerly of Ton- bridge Road, Maidstone committed a number of offences in the Hemp- stead andWigmore area on July 30 while drunk. Spencerwas jailed for 33 months
and Pennells for 30 months when they appeared for sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court. The court heard how Pennells
stole a crate of beer from a shop on Hempstead Road before running off down an alley with Spencer. Theywent to the bridge over Hoath Way – a dual carriageway with a 50mph speed limit – where they threw bottles and part of a brick on to the road, causing vehicles to
Curtis Pennells and Andrew Spencer
brake and skid. One of the bottles hit a car. After walking to the junction
withWigmore Road, Pennells then pressed the emergency button on a passing bus, causing the doors to open and the driver to swerve. They then visited an off-licence where one of the men stole four
bottles of cider while the other held the door open for him. They walked to Wigmore Park
where they were reported to have committed a number of other anti- social acts. Finally, they smashed the rear windscreen of a parked car before police officers arrived and arrested them. Spencer became aggressive and assaulted one of the constables and both men were placed in a po- lice van, which Spencer later uri- nated in. Spencer later admitted causing danger to road users, theft, assault and three counts of criminal dam- age. Pennells pleaded guilty to two counts of causing danger to road users, two counts of theft, and one
count of criminal damage. Investigating officer Detective Constable Rob Grieve, of Kent Po- lice, said: “Throwing objects at moving vehicles is an incredibly dangerous thing to do and that is reflected in the lengthy sentences imposed. Both Curtis Pennells and Andrew Spencer can count them- selves lucky their reckless actions did not cause a serious collision and the death or injury of multiple road-users.
“Drunkenness is no excuse for committing crime or acting in an anti-social manner, and hopefully this case will send a strong message to anyone who cannot control themselves while under the influ- ence of alcohol.”
MPjoins call Mystery buyer for church centre
for rail action MALLINGMPTom Tugendhat MBE has called on the rail min- ister to increase the capacity on the Maidstone East Line, fol- lowing dozens of complaints from irate constituents. The MP has written to Claire
PerryMPasking her to push for extra carriages on the South- eastern train services passing through the town when the Government makes its decision this spring. The Government is propos-
ing to increase the number of carriages on some Southeastern train services, and will make a decision in a few weeks on which routes will benefit from the 12-carriage trains. Mr Tugendhat said the in- creased capacity was badly needed and said: “The Maid- stone East line could do with extra carriages, particularly at peak time. All too often as the service approaches London Victoria many commuters are standing. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for passengers to have an intolerable commute home – with many standing as far as Bromley South and some- times beyond. “I often receive complaints
from residents in Borough Green,West Malling, Kings Hill and surrounding villages about this. That’s why I have called upon the rail minister to act. I hope they will listen to our con- cerns and increase capacity on this congested line.”
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FIERCE bidding has seen the sale of the church-owned St Luke’s Centre in Maidstone for £342,000. The sale, according to the Rev
Chris Key, follows much soul search- ing to reach a final decision about the fate of the Foley Street building. Parishioners and volunteers had
worked to restore the building, bought by the church about four years ago, with the hope of it being used for community purposes. How- ever, the centre – thought to date back to the 1800s – has now been sold at auction. Rev Key said both he and the PCC
had listened carefully to the views of those who had wanted to buy the centre and to those who now wished to see it sold, and felt the right deci- sion had been reached. The reserve – to cover costs and
the outstanding mortgage on the property – was exceeded.
St Luke’s Centre and right, Rev Chris Key
John Stockey, from Clive Emson Auctioneers, said there was lots of interest in the building, which sits on a fifth-of-an-acre site, but was un- able to reveal details of the pur- chaser or intended use. The centre was previously used for workshops by a building company. Rev Key said: “The sale will raise a variety of feelings among us, includ-
ing considerable disappointment for some, so we will need to bear with one another in love. “We in the PCC are considering the
vision for all our other buildings on the church site to ensure that God’s mission is supported and increased by improving our facilities there, so we have exciting times ahead to- gether.”
Assaults in town centre All for One
POLICE are appealing for wit- nesses after amanwas violently as- saulted in Maidstone and left with serious facial injuries. It was reported that the victim
was attacked by two men in sepa- rate incidents in the town on Janu- ary 17. The assaults are alleged to have occurred between 3.20am and 3.40am. In the first incident the victim
was standing among other people in King Street, opposite the junc- tion to Wyke Manor Road, where it was reported that he was punched in the face by a man. Shortly after, as the victim walked towards Gabriel’s Hill, it was reported that he was punched in the head again, this time by a different man.
The victim has since required surgery after suffering facial frac- tures and damage to his teeth. Police are appealing for informa-
tion from anyone who may have witnessed either of the assaults. The victim was wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt and jeans. Anyone with information should
call the West Kent appeals line on 01622 604100, quoting reference YY/001270/16. Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers, anony- mously, on 0800 555111. An 18-year old Maidstone man
and a 32-year old man from Epsom were arrested in connection with the assaults and have been bailed, pending further enquiries, until March 8, 2016.
MAIDSTONE Town Centre and its Town Team are coming together under the brand One Maidstone. The Community Interest Com-
pany (CIC) has been registered with Companies House, has a shadow board of directors and a business plan. Its logo is being de- veloped so that the company is ready to go live at the start of the fi- nancial year on April 1. Town Centre Change Co-ordina-
tor Ilsa Butler has spent a year put- ting together a blueprint for the company, which combines both the expertise of the TCM and the vol- untary force behind the Town Team and its various committees. The aim is to pull together the best of the two bodies’ resources.
Maidstone Town March 2016 31
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