News
Ex-MEP jailed for £100k fraud
A FORMER MEP who fraudu- lently claimed £100,000 in expenses with a "sustained pattern of steal- ing" has been jailed for four years. Peter Skinner (56), who was LabourMEPfor the South East from 1999 to 2014, was found guilty of three charges after a trial at South- wark Crown Court. He claimed thousands of pounds
for support staff, which actually funded jewellery, restaurants and hotel stays. Sentencing Skinner, from Snodland, the judge said he had abused trust. The politician made fraudulent monthly payments to his wife from December 2007 until July 2009. This entitled him to claim secretarial or parliamentary assistance allowance. Skinner (pictured) also created a
fake letter claiming his father was working for him, to justify his pay- ments of £5,000 every three months, his trial heard. In total Skinner claimed £480,000
in expenses, of which about £100,000 was fraudulent. Mrs Justice MauraMcGowan told
him: “You have not only damaged public trust in individual parliamen-
tarians, but also in the democratic in- stitution itself. “This was...a sus- tained pattern of stealing from the taxpayer." Hewas found guilty of one count
of making a false instrument, one count of fraud and one count of false accounting. He now faces a confis- cation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act. A Labour spokesman said: “Peter Skinner has clearly not upheld the high standards we would expect of an elected representative. He is no longer a member of the Labour Party.”
downsmail.co.uk Appeal for foster families
KENT County Council is looking for foster carers after facing huge num- bers of children needing loving homes in the past year. This Foster Care Fortnight, which ends on May 29, is for anyone who
could offer a stable and loving home to children. These could include youngsters with disabilities, sibling groups, 16- to
18-year-olds working towards independence and unaccompanied young people seeking asylum. The authority needs
to add 150 households to its fostering service this year. KCC had 2,320 chil-
dren in care as of March 2016, compared to 1,870 in March 2015. The authority had
1,428 fostering place- ments in May 2016, compared to 1,297 in May 2015. Peter Oakford, KCC
cabinet member for spe- cialist children’s serv- ices, said: “Few roles are as rewarding as being a foaster carer, knowing that the love and support you offer can change the course of a child’s life.” Foster parents are paid for their work and carers can be single or in a re- lationship, with age and experience no barrier. Anyone who thinks they have the energy, enthusiasm and love to sup-
port a vulnerable young person should call 03000 420002 or visit kent-
fostering.co.uk to find out more. A fostering information event is being held at Lenham Community Cen- tre, GroomWay, Lenham at 10am on May 21. Everyone is welcome.
Formore local news
www.downsmail.co.uk HAMILTON KITCHENS
Discover our stunning range of contemporary & traditional designs
❚ Free no obligation consultation & design ❚ Quality ❚ Design ❚ Imagination
www.hamiltonkitchens.co.uk
8
❚ All building works undertaken. ❚ Better and at the right price ✓ ❚ Tel: 01622 844897
Visit our showroom at Warmlake Business Estate, Maidstone Road, Sutton Valence, Kent ME17 3LQ Malling May 2016
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48