News


Warning after bikes thieved


KENT Police have issued advice to bike owners after a string of thefts across theMaidstone area. A high number of bike thefts re-


ported to police have included ones taken from sheds and out- buildings, or locked up outside su- permarkets. In one case inMelford Drive, on


the evening of April 27, the wrought iron container the bike was secured to was taken with it. A police spokesman said: “Bicy-


cles can be stolen from anywhere so ensure your bike is secure. “If storing your bike in a garage,


shed or outbuilding, make sure this is also secured.” Officers are also advising bike


owners to take furthermeasures to ensure that if they are a victim of bike theft, their property is easily identifiable. “We also strongly advise people


to register their property at www.immobilise.com,” spokesman added.


the Assualt appeal


POLICE are hunting for a man re- ported to have launched an attack inwhich his victimlost teeth. Officers want to speak with the


man, described as white, and around 5ft 10in tall, said to have carried out the attack in Week Street, near its junction with King Street between 2amand 2.30amon May 7. His victim– aman in his 20swho


did not know his attacker - was struck and fell to the floorwhere he was allegedly kicked a number of times, suffering bruising, cuts and the loss of some teeth. Anyone who witnessed the inci-


dent or has information that may help the investigation is asked to call 01622 604100, quoting refer- ence YY/15464/18.


downsmail.co.uk


Drugs rehab charity in safe handswith Penny


IT IS all change at the top at a re- spected drugs rehabilitation cen- tre nearMaidstone. Penny Williams (pictured) has


taken over from Kenward Trust CEO David Philpott, who will be- come its chairman as Roger Bed- ford retires after nearly 23 years with the charity. A mum of two teenage boys,


Penny has been part of the senior leadership team at the addiction centre as the director ofmarketing, communications and social enter- prise for the last two years. She says she will continue with


the strategic direction delivered by David Philpott over the last three years. Penny worked in broadcast


media, helping establish Invicta FM, and in newspapers, before joining theKenward Trust andwill continue to run hermarketing and


events business, Big Plan Group, which helps deliver the classical concert at Leeds Castle. Upcoming chairman David


Philpott describes Penny as a “safe and capable pair of hands”,


adding: “Penny has many years’ experience leading large teams and managing complex budgets and has all the skills needed to carry us forward on our journey in a diffi- cult funding environment.” In taking up the post, Penny,


who also plays roller hockey for England, said: “TheKenward Trust is a very special place and I ampas- sionate about its work. I’m always so incredibly humbled by the out- comes and success we’ve had working together with people to overcome their addiction to alcohol and drugs.” She said her vision is to continue


the amazing work of the trust’s clinical teams and to look for new avenues of revenue. When she does get some spare time, Penny, who lives in Lenham, enjoyswalk- ing her two dogs and enjoys spend- ing timewith friends.


Building society’s upcycling boost to trust funds


VOLUNTEERS from a building society took part in a number of activities to help boost the Ken- ward Trust. The teamfromtheNationwide,


pictured, spent a day at the trust, in Yalding, where they helped to upcycle furniture, paint porcelain to create items for sale in the trust’s charity shop, Charitique. The Kenward Trust is a drug


and alcohol residential rehabilita- tion centre and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Rob Geall, from Nationwide,


said: “We enjoyed the day and were made to feel really wel- come.”


Kenward Trust’s social enter- prise manager Peter


Jones


thought the trustwould be able to raise about £500 from the work completed and said: “This is a


nice result to see something tangi- ble fromthe day.” If you would like to find out


about volunteering for Kenward Trust, visit kenwardtrust.org.uk.


Natter and knitting ‘gals’ put world to rights Pub for sale


LADIES from a retirement home in Maidstone have been busy knitting for Heart of Kent Hospice. The gals came up with the idea of


making woollen chick chocolate-egg holders, which they sold over Easter to raisemoney for the hospice. The ladies (pictured), from King’s


Lodge, in King’s Street, say they have raisedmore than £100 so far. Many of thosewith properties in the


Churchhill Retirement Living complex are members of the weekly Knit and Natter group. Among themis AnnOwen,who said:


“As well as a chance to do something useful for others, the group allows us to catch up and put theworld to rights!”


18 Maidstone Weald June 2018


APOPULAR pub not far fromSta- plehurst has been put up for sale. The Hawkenbury Inn is now on


themarket for £895,000. In a one acre plot, the country


pub has “a strongmix of local cus- tomfromthe surrounding villages aswell as leisure guests visiting the area”, according to the agents. A spokesman said: “The


Hawkenbury Inn provides a fabu- lous opportunity to acquire a rural businesswhich has potential. “With the potential to increase


the accommodation, this is a great opportunity for either a hands-on owner operator or amultiple oper- ator looking to add to their portfo- lio.”


Thieves take MorrisMinor


THIEVES have stolen a vintage MorrisMinor van in Staplehurst. Kent Police said the distinctive


green car, with a registration start- ing GLK8 had been left near Sta- plehurst railway station and is reported to have been stolen on May 16. Police are appealing to anyone


who may have seen the vehicle to come forward. Anyone with infor- mation is asked to call the appeal line on 01622 604100, quoting ref- erence 17-0207, email west.divi- sion.media.appeals@kent.pnn.polic e.uk or call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


downsmail.co.uk


Police officers honoured for rescuing crash victim


TWOMaidstone police officerswho rescued awoman froma crashed car inMaidstone have been honoured.


Sgt Michael Newman and Tem-


porary Sgt ChristopherWard were first on the scene at an incident in the early hours ofDecember 2, 2017, where they found a woman in her 20s unconscious and trapped in a Peugeot on the A249 Sittingbourne Road. Despite the risk to their own


safety, theymanaged to hold the ve- hicle up and pull the woman clear, and although shewas taken to hos- pital with life-threatening injuries, she has gone on to make a full re- covery. They were among 17 Kent Police


officers to receive awards at a Divi- sional Commander’s Awards cere- mony in Tonbridge onMay 16,with the pair being recognised for their “outstanding dedication and com- mitment to Kent Police”. Also receiving an award was DC


Rebecca Taft, who dealt with the harrowing case of a young child in Maidstonewho had been neglected and abused by his parents, DC Taft helping to ensure therewas enough evidence to prosecute Jodie Simp- son and Tony Smith,whowere both sentenced to 10 years in prison. Divisional Commander, Chief


News


Top award for detective


THE detectivewho helped track a group responsible for trafficking and prostitution of women in Maidstone has received a top po- lice award. DC Dave Godden was one of


more than 30 officers from Kent and Essex serious crime squad to be honoured. He was involved in solving a


case of organised crime involving people trafficking and prostitu- tion in the town and in nearby Chatham. Two men were jailed for a total


of eight years, with the sentenc- ing judge commending Godden for his “diligence, efficiency and high standard of performance in his role as investigating officer”. The awards ceremony was held


at North Kent Police Station in Northfleet on May 24 and was hosted by Assistant Chief Con- stable Nick Downing and at- tended by Kent Chief Constable Alan Pughsley. ACC Downing said: “It takes a


SgtMichael Newman, Sgt ChristopherWard and DC Rebecca Taft


Supt JuliaChapman said: “Kent Po- lice officers are called to difficult and potentially dangerous situa- tions every day. They regularly put themselves in harm’sway to protect members of the public, which is why it is right they receive the recognition they deserve. “I am incredibly proud to lead


such a dedicated team. Peoplemay say they are just doing their jobs and that iswhat they are paid to do, but like anyone else police officers still have to dealwith the day to day pressures of normal life, balancing spending time with their families with protecting vulnerable people in the community.”


special kind of person to be able to investigate serious crimes, which are often complex in na- ture and highly emotive for those affected. “Fortunately, we have such tal-


ented people to call on and I am constantly impressed by their work ethic, professionalism and dedication to secure positive out- comes for the communities they serve.”


Warning of rogue traders


KENT POLICE have issued a warning to residents after three reports of rogue traders in the same day in the Maidstone and Malling area. All three incidents occurred on


Wednesday,May 23, and one res- ident – a man in his 80s – paid a quantity of cash to twomen who called at his front door. DSI JonArmory, fromKent Po-


lice, said: “Residents should be alert if a tradesperson visitswith- out an appointment and suggests that work needs to be completed on their house. “In some cases, occupants are


overcharged for minor repairs and then intimidated when they question the cost. “Anybody who is pestered by


unwanted cold callers should ad- vise them that contact will be made with Trading Standards and, if necessary, the police.”


The first incident happened at


about midday in Sheal’s Cres- cent, Maidstone, when two men visited theman in his 80s and of- fered to fix the roof. After he paid them the cash,


they left in a white Transit van saying they were going to get some tools, but they failed to re- turn and complete the work. One of the men is described as


being white, between 25 and 30, 5ft 10in tall, of stocky build and with fair hair and wearing an or- ange T-shirt. The other was aged about 50,


5ft 6in, of slight build, with tanned skin and was wearing a navy blue top. About three and a half hours


later, a woman living in Milton Lane, West Malling, was ap- proached by a man who said he had been called by the landlord to fix a leak. The homeowner


watched him check a bathroom before leaving, but it later tran- spired that the landlord had not arranged the visit. This man was described as


being in his 60s and 6ft tall and was driving a light blue van. The third incident occurred at


3.45pm in Hurricane Road, West Malling, where two men ap- proached a pensioner and of- fered to cut some trees. The fee quoted increased significantly and then the men offered to fix some guttering. The resident de- clined and no money was paid. These men are described as


white and of stocky build. Anyone with information on


the incidents described above is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting 23-242 Alternatively they can contact


the Kent Crimestoppers charity, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


Maidstone Weald June 2018 19


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