News


downsmail.co.uk Theo lands job at Newsbeat


LENHAMstudent Theo Chikomba has sweptaway stiff opposition to secure a top job on BBCRadio 1’s Newsbeat.


The 22-year-old journalism stu-


dent, who attended Swadelands School, beat huge competition to land the 12-month stint as a produc- tion assistant on the flagship news and current affairs show. Newsbeat is listened to by millions


of young people eachweek. The programme has always prided itself in producing young broadcast talent of the future by act- ing as a stageing post for other parts of the BBC news and current affairs output or other broadcasters. Theo, pictured, who started work


at BBC Broadcasting House on Thursday, March 30, says he will be reporting on breaking news stories, as well as producing content for music shows across Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra. He told Downs Mail: “I saw the opportunity to work at Radio 1 in January, and I thought I’d go for it. I


Violence rises


in town centre VIOLENT crimes in Maidstone are on the up and have doubled in two years, according to figures just re- leased. It shows that there were 88 recorded crimes of violence or sex- ual offences in the town centre in January this year. In the previous period last year,


the figurewas 67, and in 2015 itwas 39. The statistics come from the website Police.uk It describes the category of “vio-


lence and sexual offences” as in- cluding “offences against the person such as common assaults, grievous bodily harm and sexual offences”. In 2014 the figurewas 47; in 2013


it was 44; in 2012 it was 34 and in 2011 itwas 41. The town centre is the area from Fremlin Walk, Earl Street, Week Street, High Street and down to Gabriels Hill. The majority of the incidents –


eight – were recorded in Market Buildings.


Driver arrest


KENT Police swooped on King Street, Maidstone, after reports of a dangerous driver. They were called at 8.06am and


the car stopped in King Street. A man was reported to have left


the vehicle and entered a premises. Police went to the scene and ar-


rested a 27-year-old man from Beckley, Rye, on suspicion of dan- gerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.


34 Maidstone East May 2017 Squeeze singer’s town date


HIS most recent offering was Cradle to the Grave, to accompany the Danny Baker life story show on BBC. Now Glenn Tilbrook, pictured above, a member of new wave group Squeeze, is coming to Maidstone. He will be playing the Maidstone Festival Fringe, appearing at the Pizza


Express Music Room in Earl Street on April 29. Tickets are £20. Squeeze had hits in the late 70s and 80s with songs likeUp The Junction,


Cool For Cats, Take Me I’m Yours, Hour Glass and Slap and Tickle. He was the band’s songwriter alongside friend and collaborator Chris Difford. Jools Holland, who owns Cooling Castle, near Rochester and films his


Later With Jools Holland show from the Maidstone Studios, played key- boards with Squeeze.


Belt aack thug sent to jail


A MAIDSTONE thug has been jailed after using his belt to attack his victim in Pudding Lane. Connor Houston, of Dorset Way, was sentenced to 70 days in


prison at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court, Maidstone on March 24. He admitted affray and possession of an offensive weapon. The


court heard that on January 28, the 19-year-old used or threatened unlawful violence and used his belt as aweapon in Pudding Lane, Maidstone. Magistrates sentenced Houston to 40 days in prison. Because the offences were committed during the operational period of a sus- pended sentence, the overall length of his sentence is 70 days. He must also pay a £115 victim surcharge.


still can’t get it in my head that I’ve landed this opportunity. People keep coming up to me to congratu- late me, but it honestly hasn’t sunk in yet.”. Theo worked at the radio station


on a work placement two years ago and is currently in his final year of a broadcast journalism degree at Sal- ford University. He said: “I’ve loved my course,


mostly because of the opportunities I’ve had to go on placements. “For the last three years I have


tried to involve myself in everything that I can, just to make those connec- tions early on inmycareer and build my CV.”


Originally from Zimbabwe, Theo


and his family moved to Kent when hewas six. He first developed an interest in journalism through his English stud- ies at Swadelands and while in the


sixth-form. Andrew Lindsay, lecturer in broadcast journalism at Salford Uni- versity said: “It’s great that Theo has earned such a great opportunity.


He’s followed advice and put the hours in. Theo being chosen by Radio One is the kind of success story we’re proud of and hope to keep repeating.”


Drink driver


before court A DRIVER who admitted multiple driving offences in Maidstone has narrowly avoided jail. Cornell James Clarke (34) was sentenced to 60 days in prison by magistrates at Mid Kent Magis- trates Court, Maidstone, on March 27.


But they allowed him to walk


free after suspending the sentence – meaning it will only come in to force if he re-offends. Clarke admitted driving while disqualified, without insurance, drink driving and failing to stop. The court heard Clarke, of Tolsey


Mead, Borough Green, drove a Ford Transit in Sutton Road, Maid- stone on March 25 while disquali- fied and without insurance. He failed to stop when asked to


by police and gave a breath test of 72mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. Magistrates sentenced Clarke to


60 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, and banned him from driving for five years. He must also pay £85 costs and a £115 victim sur- charge.


Village fete PLANS are well underway for this year’s Loose Fete, which will have Heroes and Heroines as its theme. Shayler’s fun fair and a dog show


will be among the attractions at the event on the King George V Play- ing Field inWalnut Tree Lane, from 1.30-5pm on Saturday, September 2. To book a stall call Anne Rigby on 07419 986538.


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