News


Drug driver caught dayafterfishingtrip


Care firm must improve service


ing support to the disabled has to beingmore than four times the


A MAIDSTONE service provid- A MAIDSTONE man confessed


The comments come fromthree high on a fishing trip.


been told it needs to improve. drug driving limit after ge ting


niperClose,was stopped by police after his manner of driving ap- peared “erratic” on the A229 Chatham Road at 1.40pm on March 10. His defence solicitor said a driv-


ing banwouldbe “deeplyunfortu- nate” as Bowden needed a car to put his fishing equipment in. Prosecuting, JamesNichols said:


inspectors from the Care Quality Commissionwho toured the ECL Office – run by Endurance Care – at TurkeyMill. The inspection, the service’s


Cai Stuart Bowden (23), of Ju-


“Mr Bowden appeared nervous and visibly shaken when police pulled himover.Adrug swipe test indicatedhe had9.1mg of cannabis in his system, the legal being 2mg.” Defending, Jag Takk said: “Mr


Bowden is 23 years old and lives with his parents. He works one day a week, but has prospects to find a full-time job in East Sussex or London. It is a deeply unfortu-


first, produced a good rating for safety, caring and being respon- sive to people’s needs. Itwas else- where that improvements were needed, specifically the service’s effectiveness and leadership. At the time of the inspection, the


servicewas assisting 79 people liv- ing at 26 homes in Kent. All had learning disabilities, and condi- tions including autism and more complex needs such as epilepsy. The CQC team observed safe


care throughout, with one resi- dent saying: “I am happy living here; this is home.” People told inspectors their needs were met. Staff spoke with


nate situation as hewill nowhave to depend on public transport to get himtowork.


cannabis every


themabout their care and offered themchoices and support. But


other day and admits he had been smoking on a fishing trip the day before the incident.” The court heard there were also


passengers in the car. Mr Takk added: “He doesn’t ac-


cept hewas driving erratically and was told at the police station the reason for being pulled over was because officers believed he was driving a drifter car. He has now got rid of that car.” Judge PaulGoldspring, at a spe-


prov der had taken over inAugust 20“He18, the service had not emb d- ded training about the principles of supported living to all staff, or positive behavioural support to prevent residents hurting them- selves or others.


since the registered smokes


Service management and lead-


ershipwas inconsistent. ELC said itwas disappointed by


the “requires improvement” rating. A spokesman said: “While the


cial sitting at Maidstone Magis- trates Court, said: “Clearly you know that whenever you smoke cannabis itwill stay in your system for a long period of time. You knowthat.” Bowden pleaded guilty to drug


driving andwas given a 14-month disqualification and a £417 fine.


CQC noted that we were good in the majority of the aspects of our inspection, we are extremely dis- appointed by the overall rating, as we do not feel it reflects the hard work and commitment of our staff or the outcomeswe have achieved for the individualswe support. “We will continue to work to


achieve our purpose and regret the overall rating does not reflect this.”


SO many colts now want to play for TheMote Cricket Club, it is run- ning out of playing space on two pitches for its Sunday morning coaching/practice session. The section has grown in three


years from about 30 members to around 150 and teams playing in local leagues at under-11, under- 13, under-15 and under-16 levels are thrilled to be picking up tro- phies. The under-9s and -7s play internal club games. A girls’ section is being devel-


oped and next season the club plans to take part in a county-wide 20-overs-a-side competition.


More business “Dear Natasha


We just wanted to say a big thank you to yourself and your team at the Downs Mail for the advertisement and wonderful write up on our family business. We are very happy with it all.... it’s even started bringing in more business already.”


News Lian Wilde Martin Wilde Jewellers downsmail.co.uk Goldsmith rings up 30 years


ADEDICATEDjeweller,who oncemelted down his ownwedding ring to ensure he had enough gold for a client’s order, is celebrating 30 years’ trading inWestMalling.


Martin Wilde (61) started out with no tools, no money and no customers but, throughsheer talent and hard graft, he became a cor- nerstone of town life.


Making a name for himself by initiallyworking fromhismother’s Maidstone conservatory,hemoved into SwanStreet threedecades ago. He told DownsMail: “I worked the first seven years, seven days a week, 14 hours a day just to get the business going.”


Connecting with local people Call us today and see how we can help you generate more business.


Crash death A MOTORCYLIST in his 70s has


been killed in a fatal collision in Aylesford.


01622 630 330 12 Maidstone November 2019 798


KH/COJ/66/19 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.”


Picnic fun


The incident happenedin Forstal Road at its junction with the en- trance to Cobtree Manor Park at about 12.30pmon Friday,May 31. The collision involved a blue Ford Focus, a blue Suzuki motorcycle and an unidentified vehicle. The motorcyclist,


from the


Burham area, was taken to a Lon- don hospital with serious injuries where he died on June 16.His next of kin have been informed.


A spokesman for Kent Police said: “Officers are urging anyone who saw the two vehicles or the motorcycle inthemoments leading up to the collision, or who have dash cam footage from the area around the time, to contact them. “Witnesses can call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622


538 with reference them at


“When I opened I had no tools, nomoney and no customers.” But by the close of business on his first day of trading, he had se-


cured enoughwork for a fortnight, and with careful juggling bought the specialist tools he needed.


Today his business, which still terLianandhiswifeMarlene…the


couplemet at school at 14,married at 20, and have worked alongside each other since their honeymoon inMargate.


Martin said: “There were tough times. I made both our wedding


on a piece and ran out of gold, so I meltedmine down to finish the job and I’ve never had a chance to re- place it since.”


Martin opted for a career in the specialist jewellery business after insisting, at a young age, on a ca- reer in art, while his classmates


bearshisname, involveshisdaugh- wanted to play football orwork in a factory.


“Itwas a determination that led himinto design and goldsmithing. He said: “I’m still in the work- shop six days a week and when I go home I design.


“It’s a lovely business to be in,


rings, but one night Iwasworking with generations coming back to buy important gifts, wedding rings and keepsakes for thewhole family. work.”


It’s a happy place to


Rail trespass AMANwas arrested and tasered


after trespassing on railway tracks inWateringbury.


Officerswere called to the scene just before 4am on July 9 to re- ports of a 31-year-old man walk- ing along the track.


www.downsmail.co.uk


LEYBOURNE Primary School saw off allcomers when it fielded a side in this year’s borough-wide Kwik Cricket Festival.


School cricket triumph Charity quiz trophies to thewinners.


Pupils took on eight rival teams from five other Tonbridge and Malling schools at KingsHill Cricket Club on July 2.


And, despite 100 budding sports-


She congratulated Leybourne on a “most impressivewin”, adding: “It has been a pleasure to watch stu- dents playwith such enthusiasm. “I would like to thank all the young cricket


leaders and the


coaches involved and the staff at Kings Hill Sports Park for hosting a


A spokesman for British Trans- port Police said: “At 3.47amtoday officerswere called to the railway close toMaidstone after reports of aman trespassing on the tracks. “Officerswere quickly on scene and a 31-year-old man was ar- rested on suspicion of obstructing the railway. He was taken to po- lice custody. During the arrest a Taser devicewas discharged.”


USE your brain to raise cash for charity at a quiz night in Kings Hill.


The Spitfire pub (upstairs) is the venue for the challenge on Friday, July 19, starting at 7.30pm. Entry is £5 per person,with teams of up to six. There will be prizes and a raffle, and a collection for theMis-


anyone, weapons.


Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court, Graham pleaded guilty to counts of causing griev-


downsmail.co.uk


Forecourt ends insta


AYLESFORD’S Craig Graham has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after stabbing a man in the stomach, following a bust-up at a petrol station.


Maidstone Crown Court heard how the 37-year-old, of Royal British LegionVillage, left his vic- tim with serious injuries follow- ing the attack in the early hours of July 29, 2017.


Graham and his wife Rachel met the victim and his partner as they queued at an external pay hatch on a forecourt in London Road, Ditton.


After initially making friendly conversation, the four had an al- tercation. Graham smashed a wine bottle and threw broken glass, causing cuts to the victim’s head.


He also made threats using an- other bottle, the court was told, while Rachel Graham assaulted the woman. The pair then left the scene.


group of men attacked him near Larkfield Fire Station. He was re- peatedly beaten with metal poles or baseball bats. He was then


The offender later admitted to police that he had been involved in a disturbance near the petrol station, but initially denied stab- bing


or carrying


downsmail.co.uk Man charged


for safe thefts AMAN has been charged with a Maidstone burglary after two safeswere stolen. Kent Police were called to re-


ports of a break-in at around 11.45pmon Thursday, September 19 at an address in Sandway Road. The offender is alleged to have


Colts showtheir strength


stolen two safes containing cash and personal documents plus some pieces of jewellery. Following enquiries, Jordan Bo-


guslawski (36), of no fixed ad- dress, was arrested by a Surrey Roads Police patrol on theM23 on Saturday, September 21. He was also arrested in connectionwith a burglary in Hemel Hempsted, Hertfordshire, reported on the same day. OnMonday, September 23, Bo-


The most successful group is


under-11s, who play in the Weald of Kent Junior League and Med- way League and won every game and three trophies. Colts manager Nick Aldrich, of


guslawski was charged with two counts of burglary. Hewas remanded in custody to


appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 24 2019. At the hearing, he was fur- ther remanded in custody to ap- pear at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, October 22.


East Farleigh, said: “So many of the colts just love the game and want to be involved all the time. We had an end-of-season family social day andmore than 200 re- ally enjoyed it.” TheMote’s senior sides are now


benefiting, with colts coming through and five teams have been fielded on some Saturdays. Con- tactNick at nickaldrich@mail.com.


ous bo sessin public age. H June 4


A short time later, as the victim Close, was walking home on his own, a


Rach


sault b and a


ing a w to 16w Dete


stabbed in the stomach by Gra- Warfo ham.


as a pe station into a


“Cra


has sh and d delibe ous ha facing prison


WWII bomb e


SOLDIERS detonated a wartime bomb af Kings Hill building site.


Martin Wilde Jewellers Celebrating 30 Years


Come and Celebrate with us on Saturday 27th July Independant Business


7 Mill Yard, Swan Street, West Malling, ME19 6LP (opposite The Swan and next to The Post Office)


20% Off 01732 870665


All stock items on the day only www.martinwildejewellers.com


Family Run. Est 1989


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