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Drug addicts caught on CCTVstealing groceries


TWOMaidstone women desper- ate to kick their heroin habits stole groceries worth £50 from a shop inMaidstone, a court heard. Rachel Hobbs (31) and Keri


Simpson (37), of Postley Road, ap- peared at Maidstone Magistrates Court after CCTV found them working together in a bid to steal £50 worth of groceries from the Spar store in Staplehurst. Prosecuting, Julie Farvarce said


last June thewomen,picturedleav- ing court, hadbeen seen on camera selecting various items off the store shelves and saw Simpson putting themin a bag held byHobbs. The pair then headed for the exit


with no attempts to pay.When ar- rested and interviewed, both women made “no comment” to the footage but decided to admit the offences when they got to court. The court heard Hobbs was in danger of going to prison as she was in breach of two suspended sentences.Defending,Manjit Tessi


said: “What a desperate set of cir- cumstances.These twowomen are vulnerable through their history and in their financial circum- stances. “The only saving grace inthis sit-


uation is that they have bothmade incredible progress in the misuse of heroin and have attended all


theirmeetings.” Chairman of the bench, Nigel


Cox saidto Simpson that she is in a slightly different situation to Hobbs, as she was not on a com- munity order at the time of the crime. He said: “The offence is not the biggest in theworld, but I hope yougetoutontotheothersideof this muddlewith drugs. Please continue withyour appointments.” ProbationofficerMatthewMorish


confirmedthewomen,whoareboth jobless, hadmade progress in deal- ingwith their drug habits. MrCox then said toHobbs: “You


are inamuchmoredangerousposi- tionandyoucouldgotoprison.But we are not going to send you to prison and the reason is that you have been making progress with your treatment.” Hobbs was given an 18-month


community order and a £285 fine alongwith80hoursofunpaidwork. Simpson was given an 18-month community order and a £335 fine.


News Give ‘emup


KENT Police are appealing for people to hand in unwanted or illegally held guns during a two week firearm and ammu- nition amnesty. The surrender begins at 9am


on January 21 2019 and ends at 5pmonFriday 1 February 2019. More than 300 guns were


handed in to Kent Police dur- ing last year’s firearms surren- der including a SecondWorld War era pistol. Maidstone po- lice station is taking part in the gun amnesty.


Winter fun


THERE are “February Fun & Frolics” at Kent Life next month. From February 16-24, the


popular Maidstone charity at- traction will host a variety of activities, trails in the grounds and shows inside its Big Top. All are included in the ticket price of £6.95 for adults and £5.95 for concessions and chil- dren. For more details, call Kent Life on 01622 763936 or log ontowww.kentlife.org.uk.


Maidstone East February 2019


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