News


Racist Sweeney is back inprison cell


POLICE officials havewelcomed a jail term given to a man who as- saultedandracially abusedofficers justhours afterbeing releasedfrom prison. John Sweeney (33) was let out of


jail on September 1, but by 8pmthat evening hewas inWeek Street in the town, armed with a large knife and in a disputewith anotherman,who he was telling to “get out of this country”. He followed the man down the


High Street – attempting to pass the knife to an acquaintance – andwhen police arrived, he began shouting more racist abuse at one of the offi- cers. After his arrest, he continued his


aggressive behaviour, injuring one police officer and trying to headbutt another, all thewhile shouting racist language. After initially denying charges of possessing a knife in a public place, two counts of racially aggravated harassment and assault- ing apolice officer, hepleadedguilty when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, andwas sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Chris Carter is the chairman


ofKentPolice Federation, said: “No- one in society should have to toler- ate racist abuse and that includes police officers. “The officers who dealt with this


incident simply turned up to do the job that society asks of them and they are abused and assaulted as a result and that is simply unaccept- able, it is an assault on society itself. “I am pleased to see the sentence


from the court reflects the serious- ness of the incident andthat it recog- nises the harmand distress itwould have caused all of those involved. It sends the message that this behav- iourwill not be tolerated”. Kent Police and Crime Commis-


sioner Matthew Scott said the case highlights the dangers of policing. He said: “People who assault our


officers on the street should expect tough sentences. “This case highlights the dangers


officers can face while out working, and they should not expect to be the victims of assaultswhile on duty. “I believe that assaulting officers


should carry an automatic custodial sentence, andI amgladto see this of- fender is back behind bars.”


Everybody should set up Lasting Powers of Attorney!


We know this sounds ridiculous but that is what the government has been saying since they introduced them in 2007. The thing is that if you wait until you have a stroke or start to show signs of dementia, it might be too late: you need to ‘have capacity’ in order to set them up.


FOLLOWERS of fashion and fans of great coffeewill be right at home in Harpers, according to its newowners. TheMaidstone gift shop and café has had numerous owners in recent


years, but possibly nonewith such colourful careers as Claudine andNick Bedford,who took over twoweeks’ ago. The husband-and-wife teammoved out of London tomake their home


nearMote Park and “fell in lovewithMaidstone”, as did their two sons. Claudine (43) said: “Having visited Harpers onmany occasions, itwas a


favourite spot for our family.When it came up for sale,we jumped at the chance to be part of thisMaidstone institution.” It’s a newchapter for their sons,who attend PalaceWood and


Maidstone Grammar schools and play rugby for the Aylesford Bulls, but it is their intrepid parentswho are behind this latest entrepreneurial endeavour in the county town.


The Office of the Public Guardian is even trying to make it easier for you to set them up yourself through their web site, www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/make-lasting-power. Of course not everyone has access to the internet and a lot of people are nervous about legal documents – rightly so as it is very easy to get it wrong.


This is where Camrass Wills comes to the rescue. We can do everything for you and at a very reasonable price. For a free guide to lasting powers of attorney, phone us or go to the web site.


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Maidstone December 2017


Maidstone December 2017


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