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


Families shocked as graveyard is dug up


FAMILIES have been left dis- traught by the devastation caused to an ancient churchyard to plumb in a toilet. The disruption to the ground


around the 1,800-year-old parish church at Stockbury has left vil- lagers divided over an issue en- countered by dozens


of


congregations across the area. Parishioner and farmer Nick


Brown said he was “shocked” by the extent of the earthworks after visiting StMaryMagdalene to put flowers on the grave of his recently deceased father. He said: “I knewworkwas being


carried out, but I wasn’t prepared for this. It’s completelyover the top. “There are graves with deep


channels either side and tonnes of top soil on others that need to be incorporated into the cemetery.” Mr Brown wants an assurance


that the churchyard at the grade I building will be fully restored.


“This consecrated soilwill need to be levelled within the churchyard to restore it to the quiet place of re- spect this community loves.


“Churchusers have beenvisiting


here for hundreds of yearswithout a toilet. It takes 45minutes to bury ormarry someone.A portable toi- letwouldhavedone the job - is this really necessary?” Villager Edward Kingsford


mows the churchyard.Hisparents, and their parents, are buried in the grounds. He said: “I haven’t been able to go up there. Itwould be too upsetting to see in its current state. The church, which has been


closed during the work, will re- open for a short service at 6pmon July 21. The parish priest Rev Liz Cox


conceded the churchyard “looks a mess” and had not been helped by the recent rain. She said thework had also dealt


withdrainage issues in the church, subsidence, and had stabilised the nave, and assured those who had been upset that the landwould be fully restored and re-seeded.


Rain can’t stop themusic


IT was a case of singing in the rain for fans and bandswho took part in the LenhamFamily Festival. The Expandables, Jamie Middle-


ton, Oli Barton and theMovement, and Cooper Stout played on at the June event, encouraging the sun to finally break through. Lenham’s amateur drama kings


and queens, fromtheHAMS group, kept visitors smiling through the


rain and town crier Mike Dale en- sured everyone knew where to get a tea and cake – at theWI stall. The festival is a weekend of


music, dance, entertainment and stalls in and around Lenham,which raises money for charity. This year’s chosen charities was the Carers’ Relief Service; Platts Heath Primary School and the Lenham Meadows Trust.


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.


18 Maidstone East July 2019 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.


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