News


downsmail.co.uk Fears after cat found mutilated


A much-loved family pet was targeted in a way consistent with other incidences, firstly in Croydon and then in the M25 area. The local connection came to


THE killing and mutilation of a cat may be linked to a spree of attacks on felines in south London. Liz said: “Due to publicity I had


light after the animalwas found in Birling Avenue, Bearsted, and re- ported to the Bearsted Veterinary Surgery in Egremont Road in July. Horrified head nurse Liz Marks,


whowas aware of the attacks in the capital, contacted the South Nor- wood Animal Rescue and Liberty (SNARL) which has been involved in studying cat killings. Animals have been decapitated


and had other horrific injuries in- flicted on them, including the re- moval of tails and paws.


Young drivers’


learning boost YOUNGdrivers are being urged to take advantage of a free handout to clock up some extra hours behind the wheel. The county council’s road safety


team has extended the eligibility age for its subsidised Pass Plus training from 19 to 21 to reflect the trend that educational commit- ments mean more youngsters are learning to drive later. The additional training for those


new to the road provides valuable experience of driving on the mo- torway, in town and on rural roads, in the rain and after dark. Pass Plus in Kent is being sub- sidised by £60 to encourage young drivers to take the training. The course is six hours in total


and delivered in sessions to suit by an approved list of driving instruc- tors that can be found online. Young drivers in the KCC area


who have passed their test in the last 12 months and are aged 17-21 can apply at www.kent.gov.uk/ roads-and-travel/road-safety/road- safety-training/pass-plus-driver- training-course. For more information email pass.plus@kent.gov.uk.


Experts believe the injuries have


been caused by humans, not a wild predator. A local couple brought the ani-


mal to the Bearsted surgery believ- ing it to be their 15-year-old cat Ella (pictured) which had gone missing in the Grove Green area.


seen from SNARL, I contacted them with a photo and they imme- diately called me. “Everything we discussed was consistent with the patterns of pre- vious attacks. The injuries were very odd. “Why would a predation attack


look like that, surely a fox would leave the extremities and eat the body?” Liz added that other animals – including foxes and an owl – are believed to have been victims of the attacks. The body of the cat – which was


not microchipped – has now been sent for forensic analysis. Ella’s


owner – who doesn’t wish to be named – posted on Facebook with the message: “My beautiful miss- ing cat has been found…some sicko has mutilated her, so this is not just happening in inner Lon- don, but right here on our doorsteps in Bearsted.” A friend of the owner told Downs Mail: “She is absolutely gutted and just can’t understand what kind of person is capable of this sort of attack. This will turn the stomach of any animal lover.” SNARL advises people within a


20 mile radius of the killing to be alert for anyone acting suspi- ciously around animals and to keep cats in at night.


Biker beats fuel strikes on epic ride


LONG-distance biker Steve Cooper may have fallen foul of industrial action in France, but nothing was going to stop him clocking up his eighth “ironbutt challenge” – and setting a new record for endurance scooter riding. The marathon motorcyclist, from Maidstone, was forced to fuel up for his round trip to Berlin in Folkestone and Belgium after filling stations in France ran dry, due to industrial action. But, in spite of that, he completed the incredible 1,214- mile trip on his Kymco scooter in 21 hours and 15 minutes. After arriving back in Britain, he


told DownsMail: “I like France a lot, but, I tend to like France a lot less when the one commodity that we really needed (fuel) has run dry. Due to the strikes at refineries across the country, we found there was a severe lack of it and to rub it in, the BP station opposite our hotel sat closed and vacant. “Fortunately, we had planned


ahead and filled up before we crossed the Channel.” Steve (51), from Mayfair Avenue,


was accompanied by rider Tony Green and together they beat the


Tagged burglar back in court


FIVE hours after being fitted with an electronic tag, burglar Daniel Reedwas up to his old tricks. He walked into a house in Wheeler Street, Maidstone, and helped himself to a bottle of cham- pagne from the fridge – while the owners were at home – but dropped it in the garden as he fled over a 6ft fence. He was then caught in an un- locked car in Princes Street and, again, ran off empty-handed. However, the tag he had been fit-


20 Maidstone Town August 2016


ted with as part of a previous sen- tence placed him at the scene of his crimes – so policewere able to haul him back before the Crown Court Reed (38) of Waterloo Street, Maidstone, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison when he admitted burglary and theft.


Detective Constable Raj Dusanjh


said: “Reed has proven that he is unable to live in society, despite- firm restrictions that were made clear to him hours before.


previous endurance record set by Scomardi Scooters of 1,050 miles in 24 hours.


The retailer host at Lancaster


Rover in Tonbridge hopes to set out again in October on another trip.


Boxers’ MP date atWestminster


OLYMPIC boxing hopefuls Ben- jamin Chettri and Reswan Rai were invited to a sports event at the House of Commons. The pair, who train at the Maid-


stone Gurkha Boxing Club in Bridge Street,were invited to the House by Maidstone and TheWeald MP and former sports minister Helen Grant. Benjamin and Reswan met Olympic gold heptathlete Denise LewisOBEand football coachAnnie Zaidi. They were also interviewed on TV with England soccer legend


Sol Campbell before taking part in a question and answer session. They later had the chance to meet


120 senior figures from sport gov- erning bodies, funding agencies and sports media specialists. The event was organised by the


MP in conjunction with Sporting Equals, which promotes ethnic di- versity in sport and physical activity. Ben and Reswan, who in the sixth


form atValley Park school, are look- ing forward to their next bouts at an tournament in Dublin later this year.


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