News


Family tribute A FAMILY paid tribute to a great- grandad who died after being hit by a car. John Stewart, who was 79, died


at the scene of the incident on the A228 Seven Mile Lane at around 6pmonWednesday December 6. The pedestrian was hit by a sil-


ver ToyotaAuris on themain road, at the junction with Old Church Road. Mr Stewartwas fromthe Brench-


ley area, and his family have paid tribute to him. The said: “A loving, gentle man


and father of three Johnwas also a grandad and great-grandad. He loved the great outdoors where he worked as a woodsman, enjoying coppicing and fencemaking. “Johnwill be sadlymissed by all


his loved ones and friends.” Police are still investigating the


collision and officers are continu- ing to appeal for witnesses, who have yet to speak to police, to con- tact them.


Cars damaged A MAIDSTONE man has been charged after reports an axe was used to damage cars. Tommy Dunn, of Charles Street,


was arrested on Thursday Decem- ber 28 and subsequently charged with four offences of causing crim- inal damage. He was also charged with nine


separate shoplifting offences al- leged to have taken place between December 11 and 17. He appeared by video link be-


foreMedwayMagistratesCourt on December 30, having been re- manded in custody following his charging. Police were investigating after a


Ford Transit and Range Rover had windows smashed in Carroll Gar- dens, Larkfield, by an axe,while on the same day damage was also caused to a VauxhallAstra parked in ElmCrescent, EastMalling. Windows at a property in Plover


Road,Aylesford,were smashed be- tween Friday December 15 and Saturday December 16, while a Ford Transit parked in White Road,Chatham,was also damaged on Christmas Eve.


Crash injuries TWO people were hurt in a crash involving a lorry and a car on Detling Hill nearMaidstone. The incident happened just after


11.30amon January 2. A Kent Police spokesman said:


“Officers, Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Am- bulance Service attended the scene where two peoplewere treated for injuries.”


12 Maidstone February 2018


downsmail.co.uk


More bobbies on beat - taxpayers footing bill


KENT’S police chief Matthew Scott has announced plans for 200 extra officers to be taken on next year – but taxpayers will have to pick up the bill. Mr Scott says he made his deci-


sion to recruitmore staff after con- sultingwith local residents. The extra officerswill cost house-


holds in the county around £1 a month and Mr Scott intends to slash his own office running costs by £200,000 and keep £5m of Kent Police reserves to support recruit- ment over three years. Mr Scott said: “Over the past


year, I have continued touring the county and speakingwith local res- idents, community groups, busi- nesses and charities to seek their views on policing in Kent and Medway. “I have spent time with the po-


lice officers, staff and volunteers serving on the frontline to hear their experiences too.” The extra officers will go into


boosting rural and roads policing, local communities, fighting cyber- crime and providing greater public protection. Mr Scott claims the move will


cost of Policing in Kent. This is not a request I ammaking lightly but is something I believe is necessary to keep Kent safe. “I have reviewed Kent Police’s


proposals for over £9mof cost sav- ings and believe that, as they will have a minimal impact on the frontline, they should be delivered. “There should be no excuse for


using extra council tax to prop up inefficient practices andwhere bet- ter value for money can be deliv- ered, it should be. This will help mitigate the pressures of pay and inflation.” He added: “This is an ambitious


take the “total number of police of- ficers in Kent to its highest level since 2012”. He added that while “policing


remains under pressure” there is an increasing need to support “vul- nerable people inmental health cri- sis” and combat Mr Scott said: “I am asking resi-


dents to contribute the equivalent of an additional £1 permonth from an average household towards the


Trust handed a cash boost


proposal. It will mean that resi- dents get something back for the tax that they pay and value for money in what is spent in their name. “It boosts Policing in Kent in


urban and rural areas in the fight against antisocial behaviour, or- ganised crime, fraud and cyber- crime, domestic abuse and road traffic offences. “Victims will get a better service


when they have been subject to heinous acts and more criminals will be brought to justice.”


M20 sentence A TRUCKER who crashed into an M20 footbridge in August 2016 showering the carriage- way with 170 tonnes of debris has been spared jail. Alan Austen admitted a


charge of causing injury through dangerous driving when machinery he was carry- ing struck the bridge near junc- tion four for Leybourne. No one died in the incident


THE Blackthorn Trust in Maidstone has been handed £250 by visitors to a new housing estate in West Malling. Themoney was collected in a do-


nation box at Leybourne Chase, with the community voting for the lucky recipient from three chosen charities. The Trust, in St Andrews Road in


Barming, which was founded in 1991, supports those with mental and physical health conditions through activities including baking, arts and crafts, and gardening. Themoneywas presented by Tay-


lor Wimpey’s Susan Joseph (pic- tured right). She said: “Blackthorn Trust provides amazing services. It’s great to see our donation box scheme raising awareness of the positive work done by charities and community groups in the local area.” The trust’s Susie Chassagne said:


“At Blackthorn, individuals are free to express themselves and illness falls into the background. This gen- erous donation will contribute to the continuation of our good work and help to improve the lives of the individuals we work closely with.”


although a motorcyclist, Jim Shaw,was injuredwhile trying to avoid the fallingmasonry. The motorway was shut and


caused havoc to the roads aroundMaidstone for days. Austen, 64, of Darlington, Co


Durham, was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years. He must complete 200 hours of unpaidwork. He originally denied charges


and was due to stand trial at MaidstoneCrownCourt in Feb- ruary. Austen claimed that he had


measured the load at 16ft 2ins with the bridge marked at 17ft for clearance.


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