downsmail.co.uk Racist abuse


case appeal POLICE have arrested a man andwomanfor allegedlyhurl- ing a torrent of racial abuse andthreats inMaidstone town centre. At about 10pmon June 5, an


off-duty officer reported see- ing amember of public being subjected to abuse in Broad- way. It is alleged there were also


threats to stab the victim. A description of the sus-


pectswas circulated to patrols and, at 10.10pm, two people were identified in Marsham Street. A45-year-oldman and a 32-


year-old woman, both from Maidstone, were arrested. No weaponswere foundoneither suspect. Police are urging witnesses


to the incident to come for- ward by calling 01622 604100, quoting


reference


46/107911/19. Alternatively they can con-


tact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111.


News


Advice charity still needed, 80 years on


WHOwould have thought that a service set up just ahead of WWII to help people with do- mestic problemswould be as rel- evant today? CitizensAdviceMaidstone is 80


years old, and in spite of its age, put in more than 550 hours a week last year, helping 10,409 people with 41,098 issues includ- ing debt, housing benefit, and em- ployment issues. Originally set up with pivotal


members of the community offer- ing advice to war-hit homeown- ers with issues like finding missing soldiers, pensions and benefits; itwas found in the post- war period that the housing shortage still secured a need for CitizensAdvice. The Maidstone branch, which


began itswork on January 1, 1940, has 45 volunteer advisers and 15 volunteer assessors, but more helpers are desperately needed.


ing clients with information and advice, raising funds, and helping with the strategic direction of the organisation. Volunteer adviser Paul said:


“One of the pleasures of being at the CAB is you deal direct with the clients and more often than not, you have the satisfaction of knowing that whilst you may never actually knowthe outcome of your advice, they go away bet- ter equipped to deal with what- ever issue they came about than before they arrived.” Volunteers also increase their


own skills and confidence while meeting new people and making a positive difference to their lives. If you are able to volunteer a


Outgoing chief executive Bonny


Malhotra (pictured) describes the organisation’s volunteers as “the linchpin” of the service, provid-


few hours a week, Citizen’s Ad- vice Maidstone would love to hear from you. Call training offi- cer Heather Hardy on 01622 750770 or email manager@maid- stonecab.org.uk.


Coffee grant boosts kitchen


LEADERS of Loose Community CoffeeMorningwill be able to top up their kitchen with a £250 grant after its scheme to tackle loneliness was chosen by Bluebird CareMaidstone for its first Community Grant for 2019. The scheme, set up inMay last yearwith funding fromKent


County Council, nowhas a teamof 11 volunteers and attracts 60-80 people a month to the pavilion at the King George V Playing Field every secondWednesday. Loose parish councillor Peter Rigby said: “The coffeemorn-


ings provide a friendly outlet for people to meet up and to chat.”


Knuckles rapped over ‘injustice’


MAIDSTONE Borough Council has been hauled over the coals for refusing a disabled man’s application to join the housing register, meaning he and his family were condemned to un- suitable accommodation. The Local Government and So-


cial Care Ombudsman has or- dered MBC to “remedy the injustice caused” in a withering series of criticisms in the case of wheelchair-bound ‘Mr K’. In the report,MBC has been or-


dered to apologise toMrK, review his case, offer a compensation pay- ment for “distress” and train offi- cers dealingwith similar issues.


The 13-page report details how


Mr K and Mrs K, both benefits claimants, livedwith their son ‘L’ in a two-bed housing association property. In 2015, Mr K applied to be al-


lowed on theMBC housing regis- ter following a life-changing operation which meant his ac- commodationwas no longer suit- able due to his disability. Being wheelchair-bound, he


was unable to navigate around the property, toppling backwards on one occasion. Mr K,who also sufferswith de-


pression and anxiety, had several falls fromhis bed, breaking bones.


Hiswife’s health also suffered. The report reveals how MBC


tried to charge for a medical as- sessment and was slow to reply to his concerns. TheOmbudsman states: “There


was poor communication by the council. It failed to tell Mr K about the involvement of, and the assessment by, the Independent Medical Advisor until a tele- phone call 12 days after sending himits decision. “These failures are...causingMr


K injustice. The injustice toMr K is not having his medical evi- dence and application properly considered.”


AMONG the list of recommen- dations,MBCmust: Say sorry toMr K in writing Review his case at no cost Check if any properties were available during the time in question and offer a compensa- tion package, if necessary Review its policy on allocation and the lawfulness of its provi- sion of charging for medical as- sessments Train officers in properly evalu- ating evidence Pay Mr K £250 for distress, stress, inconvenience, and frus- tration caused.


Maidstone July 2019 13


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