News Driver arrest


POLICE searching for a stolen LandRover fromLenhamhave ar- rested aHarrietshamman. At about 11.30pmonApril 24, of-


ficers were alerted to the theft of the vehicle froman address in the High Street, Lenham. The Land Rover was found in


Vicarage Lane, Faversham, where it had been abandoned after it is believed to have become stuck in somemud. The patrols then spotted a suspi-


cious car which left the area at speed. The officers followed, stopped the car and arrested the driver on suspicion of theft, going equipped to steal and driving while disqualified. The 31-year-old man from Har-


rietshamremains in custodywhile the investigation continues.


Dog fun day


KENT Life is staging a fun charity dog show for families' favourite pooches on June 30. Beth’s Dog Show comes to the


popularMaidstone attractionwith a selection of classeswhich include best puppy, prettiest girl,waggiest tail and best in show. Dogs can be entered for classes


on the day, at a cost of £1.50. The eventwill be raisingmoney


for the Brain Tumour Charity. Judging, by Suzanne Crow, starts at noon. Admission to Kent Life at San-


dling also applies and gives visi- tors access to the real working farm. For further information, call 763936


01622 www.kentlife.org.uk Murder case


SHEPWAY man Jeffrey Mills has pleadednot guilty to themurder of RochestermanAndrewJenkins. Mr Mills (54), of Cambridge


Crescent, enteredhis plea by video link from Elmley Prison at Maid- stone crown Court. Mr Jenkins died on March 17


after receiving a gunshotwound. Pleaswere not taken on firearms


charges. Ready trek?


HEADCORNHealthWalks has in- vited hikers to take part in a four- mile woodland trek


Wednesday,May 22. Walkers have been asked to con-


gregate at Benenden village green at 9.30am. The route will include some steep ascents, stiles and gates. Formore information, email barry@watersideoast.com


4 Maidstone Weald May 2019 on or


downsmail.co.uk


Councilworker drove after ‘puffs of cannabis’


A MAIDSTONE Borough Council builder was spotted by police smoking cannabis after being offered it by a colleague, a court heard.


Troy Newell (35), a grounds


maintenance worker, claimed he gave in to “peer pressure” from his friend, who was described in court as an agencyworker. But his moment of weakness


cost him dear, with a ban and hefty fine at Maidstone Magis- trates Court. Newellwas turning out of James


WhatmanWay at about 3.30pmon October 22, 2018, when his co- worker offered him a puff of his joint. Declining initially, the court


heard Newell took “a few puffs” before dropping him off in his Ford Mondeo at Maidstone West train station. Prosecuting, Debbie Jones said:


“Police had received information that Mr Newell had been seen smoking cannabis and eventually caught up with him on the A229 Fairmeadowin the town centre. “He failed a roadside breath test and his blood reading came back


as 9.1mg (the legal driving limit is 2mg). Police could smell the cannabis on him.” Dressed in his high-visMBC or-


ange and blue work clothes, Newell, of Nursery Grove,


Gravesend, told the court: “I obvi- ously accept responsibility for what I’ve done. Iwas dropping off my colleague who is an agency workerat the stationwhenheasked me if itwas all right to smoke in the car. I said itwas fine, even though I feltuncomfortable.Thiswentonfor a fewmonths and I just left himto it.Thenhe startedcallingmean‘old man’ so eventually I gave into the peer pressure and had a couple of puffs.” The court heardNewell had only


ever smokedcannabis as a teenager and now only has the “odd ciga- rette” due to back pain and depres- sion.Chairmanof thebench,Martin Alderman said: “For this offence, I have no other option than to dis- qualify you. You will be banned fromdrivingfor12monthsandyou will have to pay a £315 fine.” Newell admitted a single charge


of driving a vehiclewith a propor- tion of a controlled drug above the legal limit.


Bridges drunk in car Cake and cup visit


A COXHEATH drunk implored police to handcuff him when he was stopped at the wheel of his BMWmore than twice the legal al- cohol limit, a court heard. Sean Bridges (38), of Capell


Closewas spotted speeding down a country lane after a night at the pub. Prosecuting, Debbie Jones said: “Police spottedMr Bridges at about 10.40pm on November 21 last year, driving a silver BMW down Farleigh Lane well over the speed limit. “They stopped him in Vicarage


Lane and could smell alcohol. Mr Bridges then put his hands to- wards police and said ‘Arrestme, I cannot believe I’ve done this’.” Maidstone magistrates heard


Bridges (pictured right)was taken to the police station and a blood test showed a reading of 167mg - the legal limit is 80mg. Married father-of-two Bridges


told the court: “Itwas just stupid. I had four pints that evening.” The court heard Bridges had


only just completed a medical exam to get his licence back, after


beingdisqualifiedfor 14months in November 2017. Chairman of the bench,MartinAlderman said: “Be- cause of your record, you will be disqualified from driving for 40 months.” When asked howthe banwould


affect him, Bridges said: “Abit, but Iwill just have to dealwith it.” Bridges, who denies having a


drink problem, admitted driving a vehicle over the alcohol limit and was given a 40-monthdisqualifica- tion and a £613 fine.


raising funds THE vicar of Headcorn is calling on villagers to buy a drink to sup- port the local churches. The fundraising idea follows a


report in theDownsMail about the rising costs of keeping village churches open, as attendance falls. Headcorn Church has to find


nearly £75,000 a year to coverDio- cese costs that include paying and training vicars andministers. Rev Fiona Haskett echoed a re-


cent report in Downs Mail which highlighted the “pay share” pay- ment is only one of the costs facing themordern church. Itmust cover lighting, heating and insurance to be paid on the church building. She is asking villagers to donate


£5 – the cost of a coffee and cake - towards the costs of the church. Rev Haskett said: “We receive


some income fromservices such as weddings but rely on fundraising and donations. In most cases, we are still indeficit each year. If every householdinthevillagegaveus the price of one drink a yearwewould be able to balance our books.”


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