News


Driving ban A MOTORIST who drove his Ford Focus while over the drink-drive limit has been banned from the roads for nearly four years. Ercan Uzum was sentenced at


Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court where he admitted drink driving. On April 17, 2017, the 36-year-


old, of Kilndown Close, Maidstone, drove a Ford Focus in London Road,Aylesford, and gave a breath test of 63 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes. Magistrates banned Uzum from driving for 46 months. He must also pay a £250 fine, £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.


Assault case A MAIDSTONE man has been spared prison after assaulting man in Leeds village. Robert David King was sen- tenced at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm. On January 17, 2017, the 26-year-


old, of Holland Road, Maidstone, assaulted a man in Wykeham Grove, Maidstone, causing him ac- tual bodily harm. Magistrates sentenced King to


120 days in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must also pay £250 compensation, £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.


downsmail.co.uk


Inquiry launched after dog dumped on A20


THE RSPCA has launched an in- vestigation after an injured spaniel was left for dead and found dumped in a bush beside the A20 at Harrietsham. A passer-by found the black and


white pooch dumped in a bush. The frightened dog – a one-year-


old bitch who has now been named Flick –was whisked to a nearby vet for urgent treatment. The RSPCA is now investigating


and a spokesman said: “She had no form of identification and isn’t mi- crochipped, so we’re unsure as to where she’s come from. “She has a docked tail and some


really nasty wounds on her feet and her legs. Vets believe she has had her claws forcibly and trau- matically removed, while her legs are covered in pressure sores and urine scald.” Declawing is illegal in England,


under the AnimalWelfare Act 2006, and owners are only entitled to dock the tails of dogs who are cer- tified working dogs under five days old or for medical reasons as recommended by a vet.


Cracking down on knife crime


POLICE blitzed Maidstone in a na- tionwide campaign on knife crime. Atotal of 49 peoplewere arrested


across the county by Kent Police during aweek of action. High-visibility patrols were com-


pleted in town centres and suspects were stopped and searched. In Maidstone, therewere three ar-


rests for possession of a “bladed ar- ticle” and two for an offensive weapon. In total, six knives were seized.


Arrests were also made for of-


fences including possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, as- sault and public order. Elsewhere in Kent, metal-detect-


ing knife arches were placed at the entrances to Margate, Ramsgate and Gravesend train stations, where of- ficers worked with rail enforcement officers to deter offenderswhoenter the county carrying weapons. Checkswere also made on coaches. Officers placed knife arches at the entrances to schools and discussed the dangers of carrying knives with pupils.


Supermarkets and other retailers received a visit from officers, and


24 Maidstone East June 2017


staff members were reminded of their responsibilities regarding the sale of knives. Superintendent Tim Cook said:


“Knife crime across the county re- mains low compared to other areas, but we are not complacent. It re- mains a priority to tackle those who think it is acceptable to carry knives on our streets. “Anumberwere found in posses-


sion ofweapons in connection with other criminality, such as the supply of drugs, andwere arrested. “Our message remains very sim-


ple. If you choose to carry a knife in Kent, even if you feel it’s for your ownprotection, you are likely to get arrested, prosecuted and will re- ceive a tough punishment. Posses- sion of a knife can carry a prison sentence of up to four years, even if it's not used. “We continue to seek help from


the public and ask that they report anybody who they see carrying a knife or otherweapon.” Call 101 to report anything suspi-


cious, or 999 if it’s an emergency. Al- ternatively call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


Simple piece of kit saves lives


KIT that can save lives has been demonstrated to members of the Maidstone Riverside Rotary Club. A ShelterBox tent was put up during its meeting at Oakwood House


Hotel on Tuesday (May 9) to show how it can help families devastated by national disasters throughout the world. ShelterBoxes contain family-sized tents specially designed to


withstand the elements and provide people with temporary shelter until they are able to start rebuilding their homes. They contain tools to start repairing and rebuilding homes straight


away and transform the shelter into a home with cooking sets, solar lights and activity sets for children. The Rotary Club had an invited audience of potential new members


and representatives of local charities (including Crossroads Carers, Age UK and Urban Blue Bus). The club hopes to run another similar event soon. To find out more about Rotary and the local branch, contact Colin Norgate 07817890274 or colinnorgate@btinternet.com


responsible for inflicting these in- juries on her and then cruelly aban- doning her. “Anyone with any information


which may aid our investigation should call our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.” If no one comes forward to claim


Flick was abandoned on the A20


The spokesman added: “To forcibly remove a dog’s claws is an abhorrent act and is illegal under animalwelfare law in this country. “And to simply abandon her by


the side of the road like rubbish when she is clearly injured and in need of veterinary treatment is un- believably shocking. “We’d be keen to hear from any-


one who knows where Flick may have come from or who might be


Flick she has already been offered a loving new home by a member of staff at the veterinary hospital. The RSPCA is called out to collect thousands of abandoned dogs every year, and deals with almost 150,000 reports of alleged cruelty to animals, some of which have been abused. If you believe an animal is being mistreated or you come across a pet who has been abandoned please call the RSPCA’s 24-hour emer- gency line on 0300 1234 999.  To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and re- homing animals, please go to www.rspca.org.uk/give or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56