downsmail.co.uk
Cannabiswas used to beat pain, court told
A MAIDSTONE man found to havenearlyhalf akilo of cannabis at home claimed the drugs were given to him by someone he met at a bus stop, a court heard. Andrew Pollard (55), of White
Horse Lane, Otham, claimed the 454.5g of resin was for self-med- icating pain sustained in an acci- dentmany years before. Debbie Jones, prosecuting, told
magistrates onOctober 26 thatPol- lard“toldpolice heuses it formed- ical purposes” and “said it was given to himat a bus stop”. The defendant pleaded guilty to
a single charge of a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Defending, Peter Fernando said
Pollard had admitted thematter at the police station. At the age of 19, said Mr Fer-
nando, Pollard had a serious acci- dentwhich left him“withmetal in much of his right hand side” after sustainingmany broken bones.
Despite this, he had carried on
working until several years ago, when he bumpedhis foot on a con- crete block, resulting in an injury which became ulcerated. Since then, he had found some
relief from the pain by taking cannabis, the courtwas told. After the death of his mother in
2014, his life went into a down- ward spiral and he stoppedwork. Mr Fernando told the bench: “In
2014, he went downhill after his mother’s death, losing everything andhe endedup on the streets as a homeless person. He has not worked since.” Since then, Pollard had moved
into accommodation in Otham, where he has been taking cannabis resin for the ulcer pain. Pollard ap- peared in court using a crutch. The court heard that the drugs
were of an inferior quality andthat is why they were given away so readily at the bus stop. Mr Fernando said: “My client
will be able to do unpaid work if the court is sominded.” The bench fined Pollard £80,
which was reduced from £120, with costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge. Police ordered the forfeiture and
destruction of the cannabis. The court granted the order.
News Burger blow
FAST food chain Gourmet Burger Kitchen, which has a branch in Lockmeadow, is to close one in five of its restaurants. The company is seeking a com-
pany voluntary arrangement (CVA) after admitting it is strug- gling in “a challenging UK casual dining environment” and said its rents are too high. In order to secure its longer-term
future, the chain will look to shut 17 of its 85 branches, putting its Maidstone operation, which opened inMay last year, at risk. Derrian Nadauld, the firm’s
managing director, said: “We are having to take tough but necessary actions to reduce our fixed-cost base and restore profitability.”
‘Bomb’ alert
ARMY bomb disposal experts and Kent Policewere calledMaidstone Prison after two packages were seen being thrown over thewalls. KentPolicewere calledto the jail
onNovember 8. It is suspectedthat the packages contained drugs. Kent Police said: "Police scene
along with a Ministry of Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal team." They were found to be harmless.
Whitehead Monckton are moving to new premises from 19 November 2018
A significant development and the start of a new chapter for
Whitehead Monckton in our 235 year history
Call Maidstone 01622 698000 or visit our website at
www.whitehead-monckton.co.uk e.
info@whitehead-monckton.co.uk
Whitehead Monckton Limited (no. 08366029), registered in England & Wales. Registered office 5 Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 608279. Maidstone East December 2018 WTSS/17 23
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