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downsmail.co.uk Charity award for auctioneer


MAIDSTONE property auctioneer Clive Emson has received the coveted Kent InvictaAward for his work supporting various charities and businesses in Kent.


MrEmsonwas presented with the county council award by its chair- man, Tom Gates, during a meeting of the full council after being nomi- nated by leader Paul Carter, with cross-party support. Mr Gates described Clive as a worthy recipient and for using his larger than life character to enthusi- astically promote Kent positively and widely. Mr Emson, who set up his prop-


erty auction business in Bearsted more than 25 years has stayed in the area, with offices at Rocky Hill, on the London Road, in Maidstone. He has remained a familiar figure in the area and continues to make use of local venues including the county showground and the Mercure Great Danes for his sales. Commenting on his community


work Cllr Gates said: “Clivewas the founding chairman of the Young


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.


18 Maidstone Weald May 2017


Lives Foundation and became pres- ident two years ago. He has been one of the YLF’s independent visi- tors for young people in care since 2001 and has been a mentor for the schools’ programme since 2015. His vast experience, support and guid- ance have made a positive impact to the lives of children and young peo- ple in the county and his vision is that every young person in need shall have access to opportunities to achieve their potential. Over the years he has assisted many other charities, not least, using his consid- erable skills as an auctioneer, raising thousands for charity and continues to do so through the many fundrais- ing events he hosts.” Mr Carter also read an emotional


tribute from Darren - one of the young people Clive supported as an independent visitor befriender - which said: “I know things can be


said and not meant but I genuinely believe Clive savedmefrom where I was going and this award is a small recognition of what he has added to my life.”


KCC Chairman TomGates presents Clive Emson with the Kent Invicta Award Mr Emson was also awarded


£5,000 for his chosen charities of the Young Lives Foundation, KentCom- munity Foundation and Maidstone Town Centre Youth Café.


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.


Swimmers warned at weir


THE warmerweather has prompted a safety campaignwarning of the dan- ger of paddling in the weir at Yalding. Leaflets are to be sent to schools and fire officers will talk to tourists bathing near the river’s automatic sluice gates. The water near Teapot Island and The Lees has been the scene of sev-


eral “near misses” in recent years, with a family of four washed out into the Medway and others, close to drowning, needing to be rescued. A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Services says in spite of warning


signs, swimmers are still tempted to risk their lives. She said: “Theweir pool is especially hazardous due to the automatic sluice gates, which can open at any time, without warning, turning a shallow pool into a torrent.” The safety campaign is part of a co-ordinated effort by the Yalding


Water Safety Group, which has recently installed a security gate to stop people going into the water and Yalding Parish Council, which is erecting a fence, gates and more warning signs at the top of the slipway.


Belt aack thug sent to jail


AMAIDSTONEthug has been jailed after using his belt to attack his victim in Pudding Lane. Connor Houston (19), of DorsetWay, 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,he used or threatened unlawful vio- lence and used his belt as aweapon in Pudding Lane, Maidstone. Magistrates sentenced Houston to 40 days inprison. Because the of-


fenceswere committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence, the overall length of his sentence is 70 days. He must also pay a £115 victim surcharge.


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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