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downsmail.co.uk Terror threats landman in jail


BOMB hoaxer Christopher Haw, who made threats to kill in the wake of the 2017 terror attacks across the United Kingdom, has been sent to jail.


Haw (25), of Sutton Road, Sutton


Valence, called 999 and threatened to kill peoplewith a firearmand ex- plosives he claimed to have in his possession. Hewas jailed for 22months. Following his arrest he told offi-


cers he had a pipe bomb and planned to blowup a building, only to then apologise and admit hewas telling lies. But a search of Haw’s home re-


sulted in the discovery ofmaterials that could have been used to make explosives. He was sentenced at Maidstone


Crown Court on Friday, May 18, after pleading guilty to making a hoax bomb call, assaulting a police officer andpossessingmaterials that gave rise to a reasonable suspicion that they were connected to terror- ism. The court heard how, at 8.05pm


on Saturday, July 8, 2017, Kent Po- lice was notified by South East CoastAmbulance Service thatHaw


Bomb hoaxer Christopher Haw is taken into custody


had contacted them claiming to have a gun and bombs and that he was going to kill people. He added that hewanted armed officers to at- tend and “bring it on”. It was quickly established


through a conversationwith a fam- ily member who was also present that Haw had no guns or bombs, but had been drinking and taking


Picture Kent Police


drugs andwas becoming violent. Police went to the address and


whenHawanswered the front door he made a gun gesture with his right hand, which he pointed at an officer’s head. He also spat at an- other officer. Haw was quickly detained and,


while being taken into custody, made a number of comments about


having a pipe bomb andwanting to blowup a building. Detective Sergeant Dan Barker of


Kent Police said: “ChristopherHaw has expressed remorse for his ac- tions and clearly has his issues, but that is no excuse for his behaviour. “He admitted in interviewthat he


knew in the current climate he would get a reaction by claiming to have a bomb. Not only was this a waste of police time, it was also in- credibly irresponsible and could have resulted in vital resources being diverted away froma genuine emergency. “The materials found during a


search of his homewere also of con- cern to us. While Haw denied in- tending to use them to harm anybody else, the fact is they could have been combined tomake an ex- plosive and that is unacceptable. “Haw has been in custody since


his arrest last July and I hope he has taken the opportunity to reconsider theway he handles his issues.”


Meetings on


themove THE South East Maidstone branch of theActive Retirement Association (SEMARA) have moved theirmeetings to Sutton Valence village hall. The group meets on the first


Warmemorial


work complete THE newly-restoredwarmemorial in Headcorn will take centre stage at this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations. Themonumentwon a grant from


theWarMemorials Trust of 75%of the £2,000 cost of restoring it,witht he work carried out by masons fromAshford-based firmCleverley and Spencer. Events in the village will this


year include the lighting of a bea- con on ParsonageMeadow as part of the nation’s commemoration of the end ofWWI. Thememorial ismade ofCornish


granite; Yorkshire stone and Port- land stone, with plaques bearing the 37 names of those of the parish who died inWWI and 10 inWWII.


8 Maidstone Weald June 2018 Bob andMary Howse (bottomright) on Channel 5’s Do the Right thing TV surprise for foster carers


FOR almost 20 years Mary and Bob Howse, from Chart Sutton, have opened their home to disabled children with complex needs. Sowhen theywere asked to appear on Channel 5’s Do the Right Thing


showwith Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, they leapt at the chance to raise awareness of the lifeline that foster placements offer parents and carers.What they did not know was that some of the children and fami- lies they have helped were in the audience at theMaidstone TV Studios to thank them. Among them was Ryan, who told viewers: “I am so grateful for all the


care, time and effort you have provided forme and James. It has been a wonderful experience spending time with you both, that I will cherish.” Mary (64), a former residential social worker, and Bob (67), a freight


transport worker in Dover, have provided short-termfoster care for some 30 children for KCC over the last 18 years. Mary said: “It has been absolutely brilliant. But it isn’t just the children,


it is the families we help too. Some parents and carers are worn out and we can give thema valuable break and time to spend with the other chil- dren theymay have. To see young people blossoming and families grow- ing together is wonderful.”


and third Fridays of every month at 2pm, and offers speakers, entertainment, social events, days out andmore. They are also looking for new


players for shortmat bowls and newage kurling. Entrance to the sessions is £1.50 including refreshments.


Lunch date


THE elderly of Headcorn have the chance to get together for a meal and a chat, thanks to El- dercare. The organisation offers the


retired of the area a cooked meal for £3 onWednesdays. Those attending must have


their own transport and should bring a prize for the raffle and £1 to enter. The lunch regularly attracts


30 people to Headcorn Village Hall. Those attending are asked to arrive at 10am, leaving by 1pm.


downsmail.co.uk News


Advertisement Feature downsmail.co.uk


Almost 20% of Brits fear a trip to the Optician


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