Violent attacker ‘suffered blackout’


A LARKFIELD man who bat- tered a former acquaintance with a wheel brace has been jailed for six years. William Stone (21), of Perch


Close, was driving along Lower Boxley Road in Maidstone when he saw a man he recog- nised from previous disputes. Maidstone Crown Court heard Stone, who admitted wounding with intent, turned his car round and followed the man into a cul-de-sac. He then got out and hit the 20-year-old on the head from behind with a wheel brace. The attack was interrupted by


an off-duty police officer, who rushed to the victim’s aid.


tured left, called police to hand himself in. He said a friend had told him


he had committed the offence, although he claimed to have done it during a momentary blackout.


Investigating officer, Det Con Simon Powell said: “The judge decided Stone should be con- sidered a dangerous offender and sentenced him accordingly. “This was a cowardly, unpro-


The man’s injuries included a three-inch head wound which required stitches. A few weeks later Stone, pic-


voked attack with aweapon and the victim was lucky that a member of the public inter- vened. Stone has been given a substantial jail term and we have removed a violent, unpre- dictable man from the streets.”


Benchmark for a retiring magistrate


IT was standing room only in Maidstone’s Court No 1 as court officials, lawyers and representa- tives of the probation service and Crown Prose- cution Service paid tribute to one of the town’s longest-serving magistrates, Michael Rowe. Mr Rowe, who was stepping down after more


than 30 years service, has been chairman of the bench in both the adult and youth courts. He was awarded the MBE in 2004 for services to


the community. Originally appointed to serve Tonbridge and Malling in 1981, Mr Rowe was elected chairman of the Mid-Kent bench in 2004 and, just a year later, made chairman of the Central Kent bench. Current chairman, Lynda Jones, said: “We owe Mike a huge debt of gratitude.”


Justices’ clerk Malcolm Dodds paid tribute to


Mr Rowe’s “firmness, authority and fairness”. Mr Rowe, who was presented with a cheque


and certificate to mark his retirement, said he had calculated his last day was about his 900th day in court, which was “quite a sobering thought”. He recalled two amusing incidents – such as


when a defendant turned up in court dressed in a duvet, and the time someone tried to claim they were exempt from poll tax because they lived in the “Independent State of Aylesford”. Mr Rowe, who lives in Offham, where he is a churchwarden, intends to take a holiday to Nor- way with his wife Eileen, to see the Northern Lights, before returning to more voluntary work – starting as a volunteer for the Olympics.


MAIDSTONE


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WI dates are set AFTER a hugely successful first year, East MallingWI members have now completed their pro- gramme for 2012. They meet on the third Mon-


dayofthe monthatEast Malling Institute Hall from 7.30pm. Activities include a trading stall and a monthly competition. There are various sub groups which include Crafties, choir, monthly walk and book club, and some of the speakers for this year cover Guide Dogs for the Blind, West Malling Flow- ers, Kent AirAmbulance, Royal British Legion. Guests are welcome at any of


the meetings (up to maximum of four meetings), or the mem- bershipisopenat£31.50for the year. Contact president Kim Hitchcock on 01732 522629 for more details.


Plan re-submitted A PROPOSAL to erect a two storey side and rear extension at Gunwalloe, Tonbridge Road, Teston, has been resurrected. Last autumn, Maidstone Council refused a similar scheme as it felt the size and rear projection of the applica- tion, which involved the dem- olition of an existing garage and rear extension, would harm the countryside. The council will decide on the resubmitted ap- plication.


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