News


downsmail.co.uk Teen on football sticker charge


POLICE have faced amixed reaction over their decision to charge a teenager with stealing football stickers worth £127.50 from a shop in Maidstone. Charlie White (18), of Quarry


Road, was charged with theft from a shop in King Edward Road. He was due to appear at Maid-


stone Magistrates Court on Friday, April 28. Kent Police’s Facebook page re-


ceived more than 50 comments on the issue. Harley Smith wrote: “What a wonderful use of police time. You've charged someone with steal- ing football stickers? So instead of giving a fine or a warning, you're


Get a will and


help hospice SOLICITORS from a Maidstone law firm will be giving up their time to support Demelza Hospice Care for Children duringWill Writ- ing Month. During May, people will have the chance to get a new will written or an existing one updated in return for a donation to the charity which is based in Sittingbourne. White- head Monckton, which has offices in King Street, is among those giv- ing their time. The firm has set aside a number


of appointments, free of charge. In- stead, clients will be asked to make a donation to Demelza. The firm’s legal executive direc-


tor, Garry Warman, said: “We are proud to have supported this cam- paign over a number of years. We know that the income received re- ally does help Demelza care for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions both now and for years to come.


ENTRIES are now being taken for the international flan-flinging championships in Coxheath. The much-loved World Custard


taking them to court. Surely there's a cheaper and simpler option?” Suzanne Gibson wondered: “Why? Why would a person steal all those stickers? Imagine that on your criminal record! Anyway, stealing is stealing ... end of day the shop he stole from, it's their liveli- hood.” Lucy Brown said: “I was waiting


for a punchline before I noticed it was Kent Police.” Charles Kirk: “Another success in Kent Police's battle against seri-


ous organised crime. Good to see the taxpayers’ money is not being wasted on trivial matters.” Many people on social media saw


the funny side. Here are their quips:  Richard Gamble: Not sure if he can swap a criminal record for a Wayne Rooney. Mark Harrop: What a sticky situ- ation to get yourself in lol.  Paul Webb: I hope they throw the book at him.  Mervyn Evenden: Don’t think the charge will stick.


 Michael David: Damn someone really wanted to fill his sticker books. Wonder if he got any shinys? MichaelWalker: I hope they stick it to him.  Emma Victoria What a muppet! Hope he ended up with a dozen Fellainis.  Adam Jpp Banham: Before pass- ing sentence the judge said "got, got, got, need, got, double, got, got, got, need, swap, got, got, got, need, got, got".


Walk the Downs to help cancer charity


GET yourwalking boots at the ready for the annual North Downs charity walk, which promises stunning views along the way and a lunch with strawberries and jazz at the end. TheWeald of Kent Rotary Club is


organising its 32nd charity walk for Cancer Research UK on Sunday, June 11, with a choice of 1, 3, 6 or 9mile routes. The walk starts and ends at Harrietsham Village Hall and walkers can take part by collecting sponsorship or paying £15 registration. Those with sponsorship can donate all proceeds to Cancer Research UK or give half to a charity of their choice. Lynette Farley, local fundraising manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “This will be the third North DownsWalk that I’ve attended and it promises to be fantastic. “The views really are beautiful


and theWeald of Kent Rotary Club do an exceptional job in organising


every element of the event. “The choice of routes means that


people of all abilities can come along. And after you’ve finished, you’ll enjoy jazz with great food. “With no government funding,


Cancer Research UK are privileged and enormously grateful to the Weald of Kent Rotary Club for their continued support having raised


over £265,000 for us to date.” For details and to register, visit www.wealdofkentrotary.org.uk or send an email to walkline@ wealdofkentrotary.org.uk. Alternatively, arrive at the village hall between 8am and 11am on the day with aminimum donation of £15 and you will be able to take part.


Flinging a flan Pair bake cakes to help heroes M-way closed


Pie Championships, which started out as a fund-raiser for the village hall 49 years ago – celebrates its 50th anniversary on June 3 – this year, supporting Children in Need. The chance to pie; to do or die,


and to dress up has become so ad- dictive that once again teams have entered from as far afield as Japan. The public are invited to watch-


for a donation, as the teams of four fight it out on Coxheath Recreation Ground. Teams of four can enter for £40. Find out more at www.world- custardpiechampionship.co.uk or call Mike on 01622 743270 or Brian on 07803 909191.


18 Maidstone East May 2017


TEMPTING home-made cakes were on offer at Bearsted Green after two Maidstone women got baking for charity. Victoria Chadwick, of Buckland Hill, and her mum Chris Peace, of Chatham Road, set up a Saturday afternoon stall outside Bearsted Working Men’s Club to raise money for Help for Heroes. The ladies said


they chose the war veterans’ charity because Victoria’s hus- band, David, and stepson, James, had both served in the 17th/21st Queen’s Royal Lancers tank regiment. Victoria, whose husband is a member of the club, said: “This is the first time we have tried this.We justwanted to do our bit to help.”


THE M20 was shut and mo- torists suffered long rush-hour delays after a lorry and car col- lided on April 24. The lorry hit the car, which


was on its roof, said a fire serv- ice spokesman. The coast-bound carriage


was shut between junction 7 and 8 while 999 crews at- tended to the people involved. Kent Fire and Rescue Serv-


ice said: "KFRS crews were called to an RTC involving a car and lorry on the M20 be- tween junctions 7 and 8. The lorry had hit the car whichwas on its roof. "No one was trapped but emergency serviceswere at the scene to make the area safe."


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