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Villagers fear for NatWest’s future
A BANK attacked by ram raiders in July has still not reopened after two months - sparking fears it has shut for good. The NatWest in Staplehurst has a
sign in the window to say that due to "unforeseen circumstances" the branch remains closed. NatWest has indicated there is a security review in place, but vil- lagers worry they will lose the bank. Wooden hoardings are still in
place where a mechanical digger was used to gouge out the cash ma- chine in the middle of the night. There have been few signs of any attempt to replace the cashpoint or re-open the branch. Bank user Hilary Watson (59)
said: “It would be a terrible shame if itwas to shut. I don't live in Staple- hurst, but I do shop here and have used that cashpoint for years. “The fact that the bank has not re- opened the branch by now would suggest to me that it will shut for good.
“Banks don't like to keep smaller branches open and might use the ram raid as an excuse to shut it.” NatWest branches at Lenham,
Marden and Coxheath have all been closed in recent years. Customers have to travel to other branches such asPaddock Wood, 10 miles away. The nearest ATM, on the Cranbrook Road, also charges for cash withdrawals. In response to a question about
the future of the bank, a spokesman for NatWest said he was unable to confirm if andwhenthe bank might re-open. He added: “We have to be mindful of the security to our staff and customers and as such, a thor- ough review of the security in and around the branch is being carried out, after whichNatWest will be in a position to talk in more detail about its future plans.” Kent Police confirmed inquiries continue into the raid on Friday, July 22, with no arrests made so far.
Sex assault in cab claim
POLICE investigating an alleged sexual assault in a taxi have issued a com- puter-generated image of aman theywould like to speak to. The incident is said to have happened after a woman in her 20s got into a taxi with her frields in the Gabriels Hill area of Maidstone after a night out on August 28. After a drop-off in Rochester, thewomanwas the
last passenger in the vehicle. She claimed the driver would not move off unless she joined him in the front of the car, which she did. But during the journey the cabbie allegedly touched her hand and stroked her leg. A Kent Police statement said: "The woman later exited the vehi- cle after requesting he stop at a bus stop in Star Hill, Rochester. "The man was described as of average height and of Middle Eastern ap-
pearance, with black hair and a short black beard. He was wearing a light- coloured jacket or shirt. The vehiclewas described as a burgundy colour." Witnesses should call 01622 604100, quoting reference YY/19153/16 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Businessman Corben dies
A WELL-respected businessman who performed a number of major public roles has died, aged 77. Richard Corben, of High Halden
but formerly of Maidstone, ran the RJ Corben construction firm until it ceased trading in the 1990s. He also served as a magistrate in Maidstone. Hewas married to Roseanne and
father to Josephine, Caroline and Simon. Mr Corben was chairman of the Cobtree Charity Trust for 23 years, standing down in 2015 due to ill health. In this role he carried on the work of former town mayor Sir Gar-
rard Tyrwhitt-Drake, who owned the Cobtree estate. Former Area Commander of Maidstone Police, Roger Hext, who succeeded Mr Corben as chairman of the trust said: “Richardwas a re- spected chairman who gave many years of service to the trust. His death is a sad loss for us all.” In a death announcement in a na-
tional newspaper,MrCorben’s fam- ily said: “His courage and sense of humourwere with him to the end.” He leaves his wife, children and
nine grandchildren. Obituaries, page 34
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