News


downsmail.co.uk Three jailed in drugs case THREE men have been jailed for dealing drugs in Maidstone.


Christopher Tregunno (26), of Fairmeadow, Maidstone, was among the group who has been sent to prison. Shalmuwn Hall (23), of Crickle-


wood, London, was sentenced to 12 months in jail after appearing at Maidstone Crown Court. He had previously pleaded


guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply. Hewas sentenced alongside Tre- gunno, who was jailed for 10 months after pleading guilty to the same charges. Another man, Kieron Murphy


(21), of no fixed address,was jailed on March 27 for two and a half years after pleading guilty to two charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis. The court heard how Hall had


travelled from London to supply drugs in Maidstone and that hewas arrested by Kent Police three times


Charity post


MAIDSTONE-based charity British Wireless for the Blind Fund is look- ing for a volunteer whose role will be to get in touch with the people it supports in Kent. The charity provides specially adapted audio equipment for visu- ally impaired people and the vol- unteer will be based at its head office in Albion Place. The role will involve making fol- low-up calls to the people who have the charity’s radios to make sure they are getting on with them and if they have any questions. The role is flexible as volunteers can commit as much time as they like, but ideally for two hours a week. All out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed. Contact Simon Par- sons on simon@blind.org.uk or 07545 230017.


Rugby faller THE air ambulance was called to Maidstone Rugby Club after a woman suffered a serious fall. The patient was airlifted to


King’s College Hospital’s neuro- logical unit in London. She is believed to have suffered


an “accidental injury” at the Mote Park site.


Driver injured A DRIVER needed treatment after his car hit a wall near Maidstone Prison.


County Road was closed as fire- fighters helped to release the man, whowas trapped in his car.


24 Maidstone June 2017


him talking to Tregunno on the phone. This conversation led the officer


to believe a drug dealwas about to take place, so he followed Tre- gunno and saw him meet Hall. As Hall was about to hand over


a package, he noticed the off-duty PC and attempted to run. How- ever, the officer caught up Hall and he was arrested alongside Tre- gunno.


Detective Sergeant Suzanne Bas- Guilty: Shalmuwn Hall, Kieron Murphy and Christopher Tregunno


in five weeks for drug offences committed in the town centre. He was first arrested in Septem-


ber 2016 – two days after Murphy was found in possession of one gram of cocaine and a further six half grams of the substance. Analy- sis of Murphy’s phone showed he had recently texted Hall to request “six halves and one gram”. Hallwas arrested again four days


later, this time after security staff reported seeing him drop a large bag of pills in Market Buildings. Officers attended and a search of


Hall uncovered a large amount of clear bags used to supply drugs. He was also found to be in posses- sion of £1,000 of cash. Hall was arrested again in Octo-


ber 2016, after a plain-clothed offi- cer in the town centre overheard


ford, the investigating officer, said: “Hall came to Maidstone with the sole intention of supplying drugs and, together with Tregunno and Murphy, they would have ex- ploited vulnerable people for their own gain – damaging numerous lives in the process. “This is something that we and


the courts take a dim view on and I welcome the sentences passed by the court on all three of these of- fenders.”


Policewarn of rogue traders


POLICE are investigating after an elderlywomanin Maidstone paid to have her roof restored, but was ap- proached a couple of days later to be told it needed more work. They have offered advice to peo-


ple who fear they may be targeted. Rogue traders often cold call at people’s homes in order to offer services or goods. They sometimes overcharge for unnecessary work, damage property deliberately to get money, leave work unfinished and intimidate people to get money. Inspector Jody Gagan-Cook of the Maidstone Community Safety Unit said: “I would encourage anyone


needing work done such as roofing or paving work to obtain two or three quotes from reputable compa- nies to ensure they are paying a fair price.


“There are many reputable com-


panies out there, especially on the in- ternet, which can be found easily and I’d always encourage people to carry out their own research rather than to accept work from door knockers.” Crime prevention advice is avail-


able on the Kent Police website and includes:  If you have any doubts about whether the caller is genuine, ask


them to leave and come back at a time convenient to you and when you've had a chance to ask someone to be with you. You can also contact Trading Standards with their vehicle details, company name, contact de- tails and any other information.  Do not pay anyone for work be- fore it is carried out, and certainly never go to the bank to draw out cash if a lift is offered by the people who knock on the door. Anyone with information about


rogue traders can call Kent Police ap- peals line on 01622 604100 or email west.division.media.appeals@Kent.p nn.police.uk


Truckerwas electrocuted at work


A LORRY driver from Maidstone was electrocuted when the 10 skips he stacked on his trailer hit 11,000- volt cables. Richard Giles (37) died from a


heart attack when the current tore through the truck. He was moving the skips across


a site in Dartford and had asked to leave work early, an inquest heard. Mr Giles was a former strong-


man champion, weighed 20 stone and had been a trucker for 20 years. He was also a father of two. His widow Jodie (37) said: “Po-


lice even asked me if I thought he had been trying to commit suicide. This is ridiculous and very upset- ting.


“Life was good, our children were doing well in school.


Richard Giles with his wife Jodie “Richard loved that job. He


would never have knowingly put himself in danger.” Fleet Skips boss Richard May


said his driverswere told that they could stack a maximum of four


skips on their lorries. He told Maidstone Coroner’s


Court he did not know why Richard had piled up 10. Rules say drivers should not


work within three metres of power lines.


Richard’s load in November put


him within 2.7metres. The ground had just been re-


paired using Tarmac, raising it by two metres in areas. Keith Barrett, of Fieldfisher


lawyers, is pursuing a civil claim. He said: “No one should die at work.” The Health and Safety Executive


have launched a criminal investi- gation into Mr Giles’s death while the inquest jury found he died by misadventure.


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