News


Dealer found with heroin in hotel room


A LONDONdrug dealerwho had more than 100wraps of heroin and crack cocaine on aMaidstone hotel bed has been jailed. Kane White, of Lewisham, was


sentenced to two years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to four chargeswhen he ap- peared atMaidstone Crown Court. White was spotted making an


exchange with a known heroin user on September 29, andwas fol- lowed by plain clothes police to a hotel in St Michael’s Road, Maid- stone, where he was arrested. A search of his room led to the


discovery of the drugs, a lock knife, £1,300 and some cannabis. The 21-year-old told police he


was being forced to sell the drugs by another dealer from Lewisham in order to pay off a debt, and that he had never been involved in sup- plying heroin and crack before. However, witnesses reported that he had been a regular visitor to the same hotel. White pleaded guilty to charges


of possessing heroinwith intent to supply, possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply, possession of cannabis and possession of criminal property – the £1,300 in cash. Chief Inspector Mick Gardner


said: “The sentencing of Kane White is yet another example of howjust howeffective our officers continue to be in dealing with those who try to sell drugs in Maidstone. “Support fromthe public also re-


mains invaluable, and over the past year this has been vital in helping us detect and also deter drug dealers from targeting this town. “A significant number of crimi-


nals are now behind bars, but it is important to remain focused and we are never complacent. “There remains a lot of hard


work to do, to deal with people like White, whose actions can re- ally devastate people’s lives.”


Players looking for new blood BenManning and Paul Cordier inMr Scrooge


LEEDSAmateurDramatic Society is at a crossroads.Manymembers are ex- pected to stand down at the next committeemeeting so new members and volunteers are needed to lead the group. The committeemeets for about an hour every twomonths in TheGeorge


Inn, Lower Street, Leeds, to discuss future productions. Anyone who would like to join them can go to Leeds village hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 15th. Secretary Lesley Finlay said: “Committeemembers play an active part in


planning productions – depending on howmuch time they have to offer. “The group performed a successful TwelfthNight reviewin January and is


rehearsing the Plays and Picnics event at TheOld Vicarage, Lower Street on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23.” To keep up to date with the group, follow them on Facebook at @LAD-


Samdram.


Jail for throwing drugs tennis ball into prison


A MAN has been jailed after throwing a drug-filled tennis ball over the wall into Maidstone Prison. Luke Laurence, of Avondale


Road in Walthamstow, was sen- tenced to eight months in prison when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday March 28, having previously pleaded guilty to conveying a pro- hibited article into prison and pos- sessing cannabis. The court heard that on Septem-


ber 19, the 21-year-oldwas seen by a member of the public facing the prison wall, wearing latex gloves and holding a package. To avoid being spotted, the member of the public circled the


prison and then informed them that there could be a “throwover” situation. When the witness re- turned to the location, Laurence was stillwearing the gloves but the package had disappeared. The witness took a picture on a


phone and made a note of the de- tails of a vehicle inwhich they saw him drive away before calling po- lice. Inside HMP Maidstone, prison


officers in a recreation area noticed a prisoner kick a small tennis ball with tape over it and another par- cel nearby. These items were seized, and a further search uncov- ered another tennis ball and a black sock, containing cannabis and a mobile phone.


downsmail.co.uk


The vehicle seen by the witness


was registered to Laurence, and DNAsamples taken fromclingfilm inside the packages provided a match. Laurence was arrested at his home address, where more cannabiswas found. Investigating officer, Detective


Constable Jo Hazelwood, said: “The witness was able to provide us with some high-quality evi- dence, and this played an impor- tant role in us identifying Laurence as the offender. “The illegal supply of banned


items in prisons creates an atmos- phere of violence and is known to lead to further crimes being com- mitted inside and outside of prison.”


Charitymedals


takenbythieves TWO charity medals were among a large number of possessions stolen froma house inMaidstone. Police were called to Shaftes-


bury Drive in Allington on Mon- day, February 19,where awindow had been smashed. Thieves had searched the house, stealing a number of items. The twomedals, one silver and one bronze,were in recognition of service to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. About 60 bottles of wine, some


fromTheWine Societywith a dis- tinctive yellow“Exhibition” label, were also taken, along with jew- ellery, a metal detector and a new LGtelevision. Detective Mark Ansdell said:


“Due to the large number of items stolen, it is likely a vehicle was needed to transport them. If you have been offered the medals or any of the other stolen items, please get in touch.” CallKent Police on 01622 604244,


quoting reference YY/5616/18, or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.


Cause of sink hole is still amystery, says councillor


MYSTERY surrounds the cause of the huge “sink hole”which opened up in Barming. Soil gaveway, swallowing a foot-


path, pavement, part of the road and the front drive of a bungalow in Broomshaw Road. Borough councillor Fay Gooch, who lives a two-minute walk away from the cul de sac, said the landslide set


32 Maidstone May 2018


dogs barking, butmany homeown- ers were unaware of the chaos as they enjoyed a lie-in. At the time she thought the landslide might have been a casualty of the Beast from the East. However, she later saidthoseworking on sitewereun- sure of the cause. Cllr Gooch said: “The rumour is


in the area, a damagedmain, quar- rying, or a sink hole like that expe- rienced off Hermitage Lane about eight years ago. It’s amystery.” Downs Mail asked South East


Water to comment. Its staff handed outwater to those leftwithout sup- plieswithin hours of the incident. For updates, keep tuned to


that it could be the result of springs www.downsmail.co.uk.


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