Downs Mail

An influential and independent newspaper Reliable local news https://kesr.org.uk/ Monday 6th June 2022 TONBRIDGE and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat could prove to be a frontrunner to become the next Prime Minister if Boris Johnson is deposed. The embattled premier, who was booed by the public over the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend, faces a confidence vote this evening.

Monday 9th May 2022 A SUSPECTED metal thief ‘violently assaulted a police officer’ causing injuries to his throat and limbs. Dariusz Kawa, aged 38, of no fixed address, attempted to steal piping and wiring from a business rooftop in Maidstone. The man was detained in the early hours of Saturday, May 7 after an officer had spotted suspicious activity in Church Street.

Monday 9th May 2022 A SEX offender who assaulted a teenage girl has been jailed for three years. Mohammad Afzal was in his 30s when he attempted to befriend his victim in the Maidstone area in October 1993. The victim came forward to report what had happened to her in April 2019. Afzal, of Church Road in Sheldon, Birmingham, was arrested later that year and subsequently charged with indecent assault.

Thursday 5th May 2022 A MAN from Bearsted has been charged with rape after a 20-year-old woman was attacked in a nightclub. Ethan Barr, 24, appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Monday, charged with rape. The woman was in Astoria nightclub in Guildhall Walk in Portsmouth when she was reportedly assaulted between 2am and 3am on Saturday.

Wednesday 4th May 2022 A MAIDSTONE dealer who conspired to supply large amounts of drugs has been jailed for more than a decade. Mark Dinnage (42) used an encrypted mobile phone platform to direct couriers purchasing and supplying cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis between March and June 2020. The secure communication system was infiltrated by international enforcement agencies and incriminating details relating to organised criminals in the UK were passed to the National Crime Agency.

Wednesday 11th May 2022 A DOG walker was knocked unconscious in an unprovoked assault near Maidstone. The attack was carried out by a passenger on a motorcycle, who got off the vehicle and punched the victim in the face. The incident is reported to have happened on Friday, April 29 2022, as the victim was walking his dog in Boxley Road, Penenden Heath. At around 2pm, the man noticed a motorcycle being ridden in the area, even though it was closed for roadworks.

Thursday 14th April 2022 WORK is almost complete renovating and remodelling one of Maidstone’s oldest and historical town centre buildings – Stone Court House, writes Dennis Fowle. From May, it will be a six-bedroom Airbnb as well as a large family home for the dedicated owners and two young daughters. Saban (53) and Belinda Demirbasa bought for £550,000 the grade II listed building in Lower Stone Street 30 months ago.

Monday 21st March 2022 ONE Maidstone is organising some free events over Easter. The dinosaur egg trail will take place from April 2 to April 16. Find 20 large colourful dino eggs around town and collect a letter on each to help spell out a mystery sentence. All eggs have been designed by local artists and schools. Forms are available from Maidstone Museum. Meet the Dinosaurs will take place on April 9. An animatronic Spinosaurus and T Rex will be installed in Fremlin Walk and The Mall.

Wednesday 9th March 2022 THEY are only 50 metres apart but these two petrol stations show massive gulf in their prices in Maidstone. The two outlets on the A20 Ashford Road have a difference at the pumps of 21p per litre. The Shell garage is charging £1.93.9pl while Esso, part of the Tesco Express, has the same fuel for £1.72.9pl. DO YOU WHERE DRIVERS CAN FIND CHEAPER FUEL? EMAIL US AT info@downsmail.co.uk