News Speed appeal


KINGS Hill Parish Council is on the hunt for volunteers to make the streets safer. The parish’s Speedwatch initia-


tive clocksmotorists breaking the posted limit.Hours are flexible to fitwith volunteer availability and training is given. For more infor- mation, email deputy@kingshill- parish.gov.uk or call the council’s office on 01732 870382.


Power is lost


ABOUT 800WestMalling homes lost power for seven hours on Fri- day, February 8, when winds damaged overhead power cables. Lightswent out at 5.20pm,with


UK Power Networks restoring the supply at 12.20am. The com- pany apologised to residents for the disruption caused.


Foxes aack


FOXES have been blamed for a se- ries of chicken deaths in West Malling. A bantam was taken from a


back garden in London Road near Town Hill on February 3 and more deaths were reported the same day near Parkfoot garage.


downsmail.co.uk


MPs backmum’s call to jail abusive parents


AKINGSHillmum’s fight to jail cruelparents for lifehas takenan- other steptowardsbecoming law. PaulaHudgell began campaign-


ing for a change in the law after taking four-year-old Tony into her care. The youngster sustained life-


changing injuries weeks after his birth at the hands of his birth par- ents.He sufferedbrokenbones and painbefore being takentohospital, where his legswere amputated. Paula (51) andher husbandhave


eight children and fostered Tony when he left hospital, before adop- tion him in 2016. The family now live in VictoriaDrive. Tony’s birth parents, Jody Simp-


son and Antony Smith were sen- tenced to 10 years in prison. Tom Tugendhat, MP for Ton-


bridge andMalling, has supported Paula’s ongoing campaign for longer sentences for those who abuse their children.


Paula Hudgell and Tony with MP Tom Tugendhat and his 12,000- signature petition calling for tougher sentences for those who abuse their children


He called on fellow MPs to in-


crease the maximum 10-year sen- tence for child cruelty offences to life, and used the “10minute rule” to lobby for changes to the law to bring sentences in line with of- fences like grievous bodily harm. AdozenMPs arenowthought to


have added their support for the Tony’s Lawinitiative. Mr Tugendhat toldDownsMail:


“I am appalled at what happened to Tony, in awe of his resilience,


andin admiration ofPaula andher familywho have shownunstinting love to him. Iwill keepworking to make sure abusers serve sentences that truly reflect the crimes they have committed.” Paula said: “To hear Tom call it


‘Tony’s Law’ brought tears to my eyes. I never realised how power- ful those twowords could be. “To have such support is bril-


liant. It shows they are listening. These children need a voice.”


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6


Malling March 2019


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