News


Arson is suspected in £20k strawbale blaze


A LARGE stack of straw bales worth many thousands of pounds has been destroyed in a suspected arson attack. Flames about 40ft high were visi-


ble for miles as the blaze took hold in Broomfield onAugust 11. Resident Philip Highland (pic-


tured), who lives in nearby Park Barn Road, saw a brown Cherokee jeep parked next to the bales min- utes before the fire at about 8pm. He said: “Therewas no firewhen


itwas there andtherewas amassive blazewhen it had gone. It’s difficult to imagine thiswould have gone up in flameswithout some help.” Mr Highland keeps an eye out in


the area because of the unrelenting problemof fly-tipping, especially in Park Barn Road and Burberry Lane. Farmer Guy Eckley, of Staple-


hurst, said there were up to 550 bales of strawfroma 45-hectare cut, stacked just yards fromthe road. Despite recent heavy rain, the core and sides of the stack would have


remained dry. He added: “It is hard to see howit


could have gone up on its own at night. It is such a terrible shame. There is a shortage of everything, in- cluding straw bedding and fodder after the dry summer, and then this happens.” He was unsure of the exact value


of the damage caused by the fire. A large bale of good quality win-


ter wheat straw can cost about £40, which would make this loss as


much as £20,000 plus. MrHighlandsaidthat rural crime,


particularly in Burberry Lane, con- tinueswithout proper enforcement. Locals say that despiteMaidstone


Borough Council’s recent claims of a crackdown on illegal dumping in the area, it has gotworse. CouncillorGill Fort has fought for


years to have CCTV put in because MBChas failed to catch the culprits, enforce the lawand bring the guilty to court.


downsmail.co.uk Historic abuse


is punished POLICE have praised a victim for reporting non-recent sexual abuse, leading to a 12-year prison sen- tence for a Hollingbourneman. Adrian Hart


(51), of Musket Lane, will also serve an additional three years on li- cence and will be put on the Sex Of- fenders’ Register. Between June and August 1999,


Hart befriended his victim, who was of secondary school age, and instigated a sexual relationship. Hartwas 32 years old. Seven years later he tried to con-


tact his victim again via social media. In September 2016, the vic- tim contacted police and reported the abuse. Hart admitted five counts of rape


of a child and two counts of inde- cent assault on a child andwas sen- tencing atMaidstoneCrownCourt on Friday,August 10. Investigating Officer Detective


Constable Victoria Carter said: “The victim showed immense bravery and courage in coming for- ward and recounting what was an incredibly traumatic time.”


10


Maidstone East September 2018


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