News


Stolen goods sale suspected


THREE men were arrested on sus- picion of selling items believed to have been stolen from shops in Maidstone town centre. They were arrested on Monday,


June 12, 2017, by plain clothes offi- cers, who noticed suspicious activ- ity in Wheeler Street. Police searched a premises and


seized around 200 bottles of alco- hol, electrical items and large quan- tities of fresh meat. An investigation is ongoing into


the theft and reselling of items, be- lieved to have been stolen from local businesses. Daniel Nicholson (30), of Peel


Street, Maidstone, was charged with theft and shoplifting and bailed to appear at Maidstone Mag- istrates Court on July 26.A57-year- old man was released pending further enquiries and a third man was released without charge. Anyone who may have seen any-


thing suspicious and with informa- tion should call Kent Police on 01622


604100, quoting


YY/003574/17/CA. Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers anony- mously on 0800 555111.


Food on show THE popular Food Hall at the Kent County Show has earned itself a permanent place at this year’s event on July 7, 8, 9. Formerly under canvas, the new


venue, featuring 50 food and drink producers, is the main exhibition hall at the heart of the Detling showground. Visitors will be able to taste and


buy unusual products as well as specialist foods, such as gluten free. Produced in Kent will also feature over 40 of Kent’s finest makers of- cake, cheese, sausage and ice- cream.


Tickets for the show can be bought online at discounted prices, with a family ticket costing £45 (£50 on the gate); adults £20.70 (£23 on the gate), children £6.30 (£7). The Kent County Show starts at 8am and stays open until 6pm.


Thief is jailed


AMAIDSTONE manwas jailed for 120 days after pleading guilty to stealing from two supermarkets in the town. Thomas Leveywas sentenced on


June 8 at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court. He admitted two counts of shoplifting. On December 28 last year, the 23-


year-old, of Bell Road, stole drinks worth £23.25 from a store inWeek Street, Maidstone. Then on Febru- ary 19, he stole steak worth £59.39 from a shop in St Saviour’s Road, Maidstone. Magistrates ordered he must also


pay £82 compensation, £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.


4 Maidstone July 2017


downsmail.co.uk


Radio station pledge to serve community


A MAIDSTONE charity is hoping for a good reception for its idea to set up a new radio station in the town.


Maidstone Community Support


Centre (MCSC) is asking people for their views on the project, which would be run mainly by volunteers at its base in Marsham Street. The building is home to more


than 30 charities, voluntary organi- sations and community groups and also has a café, supplied by its own fruit and vegetable garden. Now there are plans for the cen-


tre, which celebrates its 30th an- niversary this year, to launch a radio station, placing it firmly at the heart of the community. Chief executive Tad Taberer said: “Maidstone Community Support Centre will be investing time, space and support in setting up a local and relevant radio station for the people of Maidstone and the surrounding areas.” He said: “Our vision is a mix of


music, local community leaders, young and old, charities – the whole gambit, with outreach at local events. I really do believe it would be a beneficial project, giving people new opportunities. I have seen what happens at Sheppey FM and Sun- light Radio at Gillingham and think: Why can’t we do that in Maid- stone?” The charity believes that about


£50,000 would be needed to convert the room, obtain equipment and pay for a part-time manager. Ini- tially, it would be an internet-based radio station, with the aim of ex- panding to FM. It would broadcast 24 hours a day and sell advertising slots towards its costs. A flier has been launched to


gauge support for the idea before applying for grant funding, and stu- dents from Mid Kent College are helping with market research. Maidstone Community Support Centre provides a base for a wide range of organisations including those providing support for ex-of- fenders, carers and victims of do- mestic violence.


Although it is not listed, the Vic-


torian building is in a conservation area and the replacement of its old windows would cost an unafford- able £400,000. Mr Taberer said: “The upkeep of


the building is huge andwe receive no funding from the borough coun- cil. Our core income is rent from or- ganisations and meeting spaces and the charity sector is being squeezed at the moment.” Pictured above are Mr Taberer


(left) and chairman Peter Cox (right) welcoming Maidstone Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Malcolm Greer and his wife, Brenda, to the centre. For more information, go to www.mcsc.org.uk


EastEnders star in town panto Pair ‘tried to throw packets


A FORMER star of EastEnders, Stefan Booth, is to wow Hazlitt Theatre audiences this Christmas in his role as Prince Charming. He will be on stage from December 1-31 in the Hazlitt's fast-selling


production of Cinderella. Stefan burst onto our


TV screens as Jamie Nash in Hollyoaks, but found even wider fame as Greg in EastEnders, who was Tanya Branning's fiance in the hit soap. A spokesman for the


theatre said: "We are extremely excited to announce the services of Stefan Booth, who will join a fantastic cast, including Rustie Lee, for our production of Cinderella. "Stefan has a wealth of experience both on stage and on television, and will be part of making Cinderella the most magical pantomime in Maidstone this year." Stefan recently toured Europe with hit muscial Chicago, playing lawyer Billy Flynn. To book online, go to www.hazlitttheatre.com


into prison’


TWOLondoners have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of trying to hurl "prohibited items" over thewall of Maidstone Prison. On Thursday, June 15, 2017, offi-


cers stopped amanin County Road, who was reportedly acting suspi- ciously and carrying a number of packages outside HMP Maidstone. He had earlier been a passenger in a car and the driverwas also arrested. The suspects, a 26-year-old man


from Dagenham and a 31-year-old man from Thamesmead, London, were arrested on suspicion of con- spiracy to convey prohibited articles into a prison. They were bailed, pending enquiries, until July 14. Apolice spokesman said: "For ev- idential reasons, the packages can't be opened at this stage.We suspect they might contain drugs or mobile phones or both, but we have to check. It's unlikely they contain knitting patterns."


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