downsmail.co.uk


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. Magistrates heard Hobbs was indanger of going toprison as she was in breach of two sus- pended sentences. Defending,


Manjit Tessi said: “What a desper- ate set of circumstances.These two women are vulnerable through their history and in their financial circumstances. “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 told Simpson 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.


SKIP HIRE


Commercial & Domestic Recycling Services


News Surgery news


HEADCORN’S patient participa- tion group (PPG) has been dis- cussing healthcare changes. The surgery nowhas a full com-


plement of doctors, but an “up- grade” of the telephone system had caused some problems. The practice is experimenting


with different types of service, in- cluding having a doctor to deal with emergencies by phone, but with capacity to arrange a face-to- face consultation. The PPG said there were plans


for a dementia event and another aboutmen’s health. TheHeadcorn SurgeryPPGnext


meets at the surgery at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 26.


Dancing call


ROOTIN’ tootin’ line dancers in Headcorn are looking to swell their ranks. Beginners and experienced


dancers arewelcome, say organis- ers. Classes run at the village hall from 1.25pm to 2.55pm on Mon- days, with a refreshment break. There is a charge of £4 aweek. Call Brenda on 01233 628542, or call in on aMonday.


www.gboxkent.com 01233 660 099


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