News


downsmail.co.uk Drivers caught using phones


KENT Police used an unmarked lorry cab to catch dozens of rogue drivers – and most of them were using amobile phone at thewheel.


The vehicle,whichwas provided


by the Highways Agency, was used on Kent’s main carriageways across the county, including on the M20. The cab’s height gave officers the


opportunity to look directly into offenders’ cars, van and trucks. During the operation, a total of


44 drivers were stopped and on 31 of these occasions, it was for using amobile phone at thewheel. A further six were stopped for


driving at excess speed and two were stopped for travelling in the third lane of amotorway. Offenceswere dealtwith byway


of a graduated fixed penalty notice or traffic offence report, meaning thematterwill be investigated fur-


Witness plea


after accident POLICE are appealing for wit- nesses to an accident in which a boy was seriously injured on a busy road inMaidstone. The youngster was rushed to a


London hospital after being in- volved in a collision with a grey Toyota Aygo on Hermitage Lane on April 6. The child, who was a pedestrian, was hit at about 7pm, at the junctionwithOakapple Lane. Police officers and South East


Coast Ambulance Service went to the scene, where the boy was treated for serious injuries. Officers from the Serious Colli-


sion Investigation Unit are appeal- ing for anyone who saw the car or the child immediately before or during the collision, or who has dashcamfootage. They should call the appeal line on 01622 798538, quoting KH/JH/49/18, or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.


ther before an appropriate course of action is recommended. SergeantGrant Steele, fromKent


Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “This unmarked lorry cab, pro-


vided by Highways England, is one example of the innovative ways we seek to keep our roads safe. “We are committed to protecting


and serving road users inKent and our patrolswill continue to take ac- tion against those placing others in unnecessary danger. “Nearly 15 years after mobile


phone legislation came into force, it is extremely disappointing to see drivers continuing to break the law – especially those who drive as a profession. “Driving while distracted by a


mobile phone is one of the four most common causes of a fatal in- jury. It is not acceptable. “Choosing to ignore the law


means you are deciding that your phone call or text message is more important than someone else’s life.” Colin Evans, safety co-ordinator


in the south east for Highways England, said: “Safety is our top priority, and I ampleased that our HGV cab has been so useful in helping the Police in Kent to iden- tify unsafe behaviour on the mo- torways andmajorA roads. “It provides an ideal viewing


platformfor police officers to iden- tify dangerous behaviour that can be difficult to spot from standard police patrol vehicles. Highways England is committed to working collaboratively with Kent Police to improve road safety.”


Elite to open town centre venue


THE former Buddha Belly restaurant in the heart of the county town will re-open inMay as a venue to attract customers – morning, noon and night. The premises at the corner of Pud-


ding Lane and the High Street is the latest acquisition for Elite Pubs. Elite already owns a number of


other venues, including The Potting Shed in Langley. The newonewill be called The Herbalist, with a late- night space downstairs, called Ju- nipers. Events manager Aline Koehler-


Price said: “The plan is for The Herbalist to become a social hub, where people can come for break- fast or a pint, a pizza and a chat. It’s something different fromthe rest of Maidstone.” The two venueswill have separate


entrances, but once inside, clients will be able to mingle between the


Aline Koehler-Price and Scott Rotheramwith AndrewMoore, director of Christie & Co, who helped with the acquisition of the building


two, with the hope that it will be an inclusive experience. Group bar manager Scott


Restaurants open toilets to public


NINE restaurants and outlets in Maidstone are making their loos available to the public as part of the council’s Community Toilet Scheme. The closure of some outlets in


the centre of town that were part of the scheme, introducedin2009, means they have been removed frompromotionalmaterial. A spokesman for Maidstone


Borough Council said: “We are pleased to have the support of nineMaidstone businesses so far


24 Maidstone May 2018


who feel strongly about support- ing the scheme, and hope that


morewill join next year.” Businesses are paid £150 per


quarter to make their facilities available to thepublic.Theymust maintaina code of cleanliness and accessibility set by the council. Those in the scheme are: Mc-


Donalds in Tonbridge Road and WeekStreet;MaidstoneMuseum; TheMall,King Street;Maidstone Market; Wetherspoons’ Muggle- ton Inn and Society Rooms; The Royal Albion pub and the Royal StarArcade.


Rotheram said there would be two 250-litre beer tanks, and craft lagers would be featured.


Footpath death


AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a 20-year-old who died near The Malta at Allington on Easter Sunday. The body of the man, named lo-


cally asAdamAldosari,was recov- ered by ambulance men called to the scene, along with police, at about 5.30pmonApril 1. The death of the man, who was


found on a footpath near the river, is not being treated as suspicious. His next of kin have been in- formed.MrAldosari is believed to be Polish.


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