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Jail for dealer caught at fair
ABIKE-RIDINGdrug dealerwho operated at a children’s fun fair in Maidstone has been sent to prison formore than three years. Plain clothes officers caught
Stephen Burns (51) pushing heroin to local users earlier this year. The alert was raised on June 1
2018, afterhewas recognisedby offi- cers as someone who matched the description of a personwith links to criminal networks in London. Mr Burns (pictured) was about to
make a deal as hewas arrested, and a search led to the recovery of quan- tities of heroin and cash. Mr Burns, formerly of Falmouth
Place, Five Oak Green, claimed the drugs were for his own use. How- ever, analysis ofhismobilephone re- vealed messages which showed he was involvedinsupplying anumber of users. Appearing before Maidstone
Crown Court, Burns pleaded guilty to charges of offering to supply a controlled Class A drug and pos- sessing heroin.OnMondayOctober 9, he was sentenced to three years and twomonths in prison. Chief Inspector Ray Quiller said:
“Burnswas operating justyards from families and childrenwhowere visit- ingtheparktoenjoythefunfair,andit was clear hewas involved in a set-up to supplyClassAdrugs to a network ofpeople.
“Criminals like Burnswrongly be-
lieve they canoperatewithimpunity in areas such asMaidstone. Dealers should know we have our eyes and ears everywhere and this sentence is another exampleof justhoweffective my officers continue to be intackling and detecting those who try to sell drugs in this town. “I can assure residents we will
continue to makeMaidstone a hos- tile environment for anyone in- volved in this criminality, but please also remember to let us know straight away if you see anything suspicious. “Call 999 if it is a crime inprogress, otherwise contact 101.”
Retiring vicar’s thanks
THE former vicar of Leeds, Broomfield,Othamand Langley has thanked his congregation for the farewell he received before retiring toWales. Rev SteveHughes left his Kentish parishes inAugust tomake a newhome
in northWales,where hiswifeMandy has started a newjob in theNHS. Thanking his flock for their farewell service,
RevHugheswrote in the parishmagazine: “The fact there were so many people there was ex- ceptionally gratifying…as was the fact there were folk fromall our churches. “The service itself was excellent and ex-
tremely uplifting – thanks to all whomade this possible and thanks as well to so many of you who took the time and trouble either to con- tribute to our farewell present and/or send us cardswishing us all the best for the future.” In a plea to keep his former churches viable, he added: “I would urge you to cherish and
make the best of what you have…your five churches have potentially got somuch going for them. “I just urge you to seize the moment and really go forwards, preserving
the best ofwhat you have and not being afraid to try newthings.” He said he andMandy had alreadymoved into their local community and
started attending the local church. He added: “The people were lovely and we look forward to making our contribution to church life aswe get settled in.”
Maidstone East November 2018 11
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