News


downsmail.co.uk Golding Homes’ blunder pay-out


VULNERABLE residents who were left without hot water for a fortnight are to be offered “some compensation” and an apology from housing provider Golding Homes.


The elderly householders in sheltered accommodation at Hard- wick House, Northumberland Road, Maidstone, had been af- fected as snow and freezing tem- peratures hit the area. It


is understood the problem


may have arisen after an engineer turned a water supply off when a leak occurred.


Since then, they have had no ac-


cess to running hot water, but have been able to get heating. Resident Terry Nugent com- plained how hard it is to contact Golding Homes and said no one had been out to fix the issue, de- spite several assurances.


It had made life hard for some


Police hunting driver after


attack in road A MAN was punched so hard in a “road rage” incident three teeth were knocked out, police said. Officers are hunting a shaven- headed thug who is described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, wearing a grey tracksuit. A man in his 20s was driving in Broadway, when he stopped be- hind a hatchback car at a pedes- trian crossing near Maidstone West Railway Station at around 6.30pm on February 6.


The suspect allegedly got out of his car and punched the victim through his open window. The man then returned to the car and drove off towards Tonbridge Road. DC Matthew Thomas of Maid-


stone CID, said: “The suspect ap- proached the victim’s car following a reported traffic incident involv- ing the two vehicles, near the junc- tion with Barker Road. “We are urging anybody with in- formation to contact our appeal line. We would also like to hear from drivers with dashcam who may have footage that could assist the investigation.”


Anyone with information should call 01622 604100, quoting crime reference 46/21054/21. You can also contact the inde- pendent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or completing the online form on their website.


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residents, who are in their 90s, to wash, he added.


Director of operations for Gold- ing Homes, Annemarie Roberts said: “We apologise sincerely to our customers at Hardwick House, and our team are on site to com- plete the boiler repair (Wednesday, February 10). “We have kept in close contact with customers from 21 homes where the hot water supply was impacted, and all of them have heating from the communal boiler and access to hot water via electric showers or using kettles. “We do understand this has been difficult and will also be offering customers some compensation for


the delay, which on this occasion has fallen short of the quality ser- vice we want to deliver.” Mr Nugent added: “I think Golding Homes are pathetic, I re- ally do.”


He said he has to act as a “night-


watchman” to let care workers into the building day and night because the entry system does not work. According to the Financial Con-


duct Authority (FCA), Golding Homes has a turnover of £57.3m and assets totalling close to £500m. Golding Homes claims in its 2020 annual report to carry out 85% of repairs on the first visit, al- though this figure is nearly 3% down on the 2018/19 period.


‘Cool’ Andy a quiz hit


BEARSTED'S Andrew Rout has turned out to be something of a hit on the quiz programme University Challenge. The Warwick University student, captain of the team, has impressed


with his razor-sharp mind and quick fingers to the buzzer. Host Jeremy Pax- man praised the War- wick side for their breadth of knowledge and ability to work out conundrums. They were at the semi-final stage as we went to press. The University Challenge Twitter page commented: “I don’t know how, but Rout has managed to find a group of where he can be the ‘cool’ one.” Andrew, known as


Andy, is a Gillingham supporter.


Resident Terry Nugent


Home run for charity


THE Maidstone Riverside Rotary Club is raising money this spring for local wellbeing charities. The group is to concentrate on


Young Lives, Homeless Care, Make A Difference Maidstone and MIND by launching the GreatH- omeRun in which participants pledge to exercise during April. MIND spokesman Tom Fishen-


den added: “We are delighted to be involved in the Great Home Run. It is a fantastic opportunity, not just to champion local mental health services, but also to high- light the great work that charities in Maidstone have continued to do throughout the pandemic.” Full details at www.riversidero- tary.co.uk/greathomerun.


Thug jailed for vicious attacks on ex


A THUG has been jailed for 22 months at Maidstone Crown court after stamping on his ex-partner’s head and throwing an ashtray at her.


Daryl Parkin (29), of Durham


Close, Maidstone, repeatedly beat his victim before fleeing, after she asked Parkin about items which had gone missing from her home. Parkin left, but his vehicle broke


down in Maidstone Road, and he left the car on the road.


While searching the area, police


found the victim’s driving licence and hair straighteners in a bush.


He was arrested the next day in connection with the offences. He was also charged with two further assaults on the same victim. The first took place on October 26 2019, after attending a nightclub. The second assault took place on December 7. While driving on the A2 in Rainham, he punched the victim in the face so hard that he collided with a wall outside a pub. He continued to assault her before he drove away. Parkin had previously admitted grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm and assault.


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