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From the Dover Mercury, 19 January, 2012. 80p
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE NOISE, DON'T LIVE NEAR A PUB.
I, FOR my sins, am a smoker, I enjoy conversation and a pint at my local
pub and it is a great bonus when the pub has live music at the weekends.
First, I am told that I am not allowed to smoke in my local because of all
the non-smokers who want to use the pub. In the pub I use I've yet to see
them.
I am now informed that a neighbour is complaining about all the noise that
smokers make while having to stand outside. When there is live music,
which is only at the weekends, the complaints come even thicker and
faster. Why do these people buy a house next to a pub and then complain
about the noise? The pub has been there since the 1780s, so don't tell me
they did not know it was there.
I live beside the railway but feel no compulsion to complain about the
noise of the trains. The railway was there long before I was.
Perhaps it is the ambition of this small minority to close all pubs, to
finish the job that the smoking ban and cheap supermarket alcohol failed
to do. My forebears fought for my freedom and the will of the majority. It
seems to me that we are now ruled by a minority who know the law and their
rights along with what is best for all of us.
Why weren't pub landlords given the choice to be smoking or non-smoking
establishments?
Stuart Smith, Walmer.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 19 January, 2012. 60p.
DON'T FORGET A BREATHALYSER
FRANCE: Drivers heading to France have been warned to carry
disposable breathalysers in their vehicles or face fines.
New laws expected to be introduced in the spring mean any motorist
caught without a breathalyser could be fined 17 euros.
The new legislation is aimed at cutting the number of road deaths.
DFDS Seaways says it will now be selling breathalysers on board its
ferries.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 19 January, 2012. 60p.
Report by Kathy Bailes
POLICE WARN OF PUB BURGLARIES
Night raids thought to be linked
SEVEN district pubs and social clubs have been targeted by burglars in the
space of a month.
Police are linking the raids, which took place between December 19 and
January 19.
The first was a break-in at a pub in Lydden's Canterbury Road at some time
between 4.30pm on December 19 and 8.30am the following day. The intruders
damaged a fruit machine but nothing was stolen.
Ten days later, between 5.20pm and 4.45am, a social club in Maison Dieu,
Dover, was burgled and a small amount of cash was stolen from gaming
machines.
A pub in London Road, Temple Ewell, was burgled between 5pm on January 1
and 10.15am the
following day. The thieves stole cash from gaming machines and a cash box
and several bottles of spirits.
On January 4 between 11.40pm and 11.50pm another social club, in
Willingdon Road, Whitfield, was broken into and cash was stolen from
gaming machines.
Targeted
Overnight on January 12 and 13 a pub in Wingham High Street was targeted
and money was stolen from a fruit machine.
Also on January 12 police were called to a social club in London Road,
Dover, after someone broke in and caused £70 worth of damage to gaming
machines. The break-in happened just after 1.45am. Nothing was stolen.
The latest break-in happened early last Thursday morning at a
social club in Dover High Street. Three fruit machines were broken into
and cash was taken.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Leigh Woolnough said detectives
are linking the crimes and urged people to remain vigilant.
She said: “Officers have been out speaking to owners of social clubs and
pubs in the Dover area to make them aware of the burglaries and to offer
crime prevention advice.
“Meanwhile we are urging members of the public to remain vigilant and
phone the police if they see any suspicious activity outside business
premises.”
■ Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 101 or Kent
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime number ZY/3548/11.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 26 January, 2012. 60p.
Report by Gary Wright
FORKLIFT WORKER LOSES JOB AFTER DRINK-DRIVING DOCKS ACCIDENT
Sacked after pallet fell on stevedore
A FORKLIFT truck driver involved in an accident inside a warehouse at
Dover docks while over the drink-drive limit has lost his licence - and
his job.
Edwin Oliver, 59, homeless since his arrest, gave a contact address of
Cheriton Road, Folkestone, when he appeared before Folkestone magistrates
last Wednesday to admit drinking and driving.
Police were called to a cargo warehouse in the Eastern Docks on December 4
after an accident in which a pallet fell on to a stevedore, who had to be
taken to hospital.
Oliver, who was employed by George Hammond Shipping, was breathalysed by
transport police
and gave a reading of 59 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of
breath, where the legal limit is 35.
Robert Quinn, defending, said his client worked only inside the warehouse
but after originally advising his client to plead not guilty at a hearing
earlier this month, said he now understood that any area of Dover docks
where vehicles can be driven is classed as a public highway.
“The accident was not my client's fault, the individual who was injured
should not have been in the area,” said Mr Quinn.
He explained that Oliver had been drinking with a pal the night before and
had not realised he was still over the drink-drive limit.
He had been given a lift to work.
“This incident happened at
10am and he was unlucky,” said Mr Quinn. “But he was immediately sacked
from his job and without income, now finds himself homeless.
“He is trying to find work and he is a proud man who has not signed on for
benefits.
“I would ask the court to bear this in mind when imposing any fine.”
Before sentence, magistrates were told that Oliver had a previous
drink-drive conviction in 2002 and that meant he would receive an
automatic three-year ban because it was his second offence in ten years.
As well as the ban he was fined £100 with £70 costs and a £15 victim
surcharge.
He told the court he would pay at £10 a fortnight once he had signed on
for benefits.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 26 January, 2012. 60p.
Report by Gary Wright
MOTORIST HELD AFTER DRINK BLITZ
MORE than 200 people were arrested by Kent Police as part of the force's
seasonal drink-drive campaign.
Between December 1, 2011, and 1 January, 2012, 222 people were arrested
after failing roadside breath tests. Police officers carried out 1,126
breath tests throughout the month.
During the campaign, 15 people appeared before magistrates within hours of
arrest using the “virtual court” network, with 12 losing their licence
immediately.
One man, who was stopped by officers on December 23 at Junction 5 on the
M20, was found to be four and a half times over the legal drink-drive
limit. He admitted the offence in court and lost his license.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: “Those who ignored our constant
messages about the dangers they pose to themselves and others by
drink-driving have paid with their licence.”
“The benefits of virtual court technology have been highlighted throughout
the month and this resource will continue to undergo development as it is
rolled out to more custody suites in Kent.”
On average, two people are killed in collisions on Kent's roads each week.
One in six deaths involve someone driving under the influence of drink or
drugs.
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From the Dover Mercury, 2 February, 2012. 80p
BARLEY WINE AND PALE ALES AT FESTIVAL
MALTY porters, fruity rich barley wine and pale ale flavoured with
biscuit are all on offer at the two-day 19th White Cliffs Beer Festival
at Dover Town Hall, starting tomorrow (Friday).
The White Cliffs Festival of Winter Ales has been hosted by the Deal,
Dover and Sandwich branch of the Campaign for Real Ale every year since
1994.
CAMRA pubs officer Tony Wells said: “This is the premier beer festival
in our branch and represents some of the best real ales available at
this time of year.
“Each year people enjoy a range of about 75 winter and strong ales.
“The beers are from small independents and micro-breweries and Kent
breweries are very well represented.”
The festival starts tomorrow at 1pm and finishes on Saturday at 6pm or
when the beer runs out. Entry is £5 on Friday and £2 on Saturday.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 2 February, 2012. 60p.
WINTER BEER TO ADD SOME CHEER
DOVER: This year's White Cliffs Festival of Winter Ales will be held
at Dover Town Hall starting tomorrow (Friday) and finishing on Saturday.
The Dover, Deal and Sandwich branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)
has hosted the event each year since 1994 where people enjoy a range of
around 75 winter and strong ales, none less than five per cent ABV.
Entry to the event is £5 on Friday from 1 pm and £2 on Saturday when it
will finish at 6pm, or when the beer runs out. CAMRA members can enter
for free.
A pint of beer will set you back a recession-busting £2.50.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 1 March, 2012. 60p.
Report by Gary Wright
DRINK-DRIVE DAD BANNED FROM ROAD FOR FOUR YEARS
Suspended prison term and rehab course for offender
A FATHER with driving convictions stretching back more than 10 years
narrowly escaped jail and was banned from the road for four years after he
was caught three times over the drink-drive limit.
Dad of two Barry Sunter, 31, of Monks Way, Dover, wept in the dock as
Folkestone magistrates were told he has already served a jail term for
drink-driving and has a string of driving offences.
Sunter was caught by police in the centre of Dover at 2.30am on February 4
after he drove into town to get a kebab.
The court heard he had left home earlier in the evening after a row with
his partner and he drank with a friend.
“But when he came home at 1.45am he saw the light was still on, so
assuming his partner was up he made the decision to take the car and get
something to eat,” said defence solicitor Martyn Hewitt.
When he was arrested Sunter
gave a reading of 110 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath
- the legal limit is 35mg.
Mr Hewitt accepted magistrates might have been considering a prison
sentence for his client in view of his previous convictions.
Sunter had “an appalling driving record”, said probation officer David
Mowbray, who prepared a pre-sentence report for the magistrates' bench on
the day.
In 2001 Sunter was disqualified, in 2002 he was jailed for for four
months for driving while disqualified and having no insurance, then he was
caught drinking and driving in 2003, and he was arrested driving while
disqualified again in 2004.
Mr Mowbray said: “In 2005 he was convicted of a sexual offence and since
that time has struggled to find consistent employment, which is why he has
become a house husband looking after his two children, both aged under
four, while his partner works.”
But Mr Hewitt said his client had moved away from his wild
past since having children and this latest offence was a brief slip back
to the person he had been.
Sentencing him to 120 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, and banning
him from the road for four years, chairman of the bench Neil Hubbard told
him he must attend a drink-drive rehabilitation course.
Mr Hubbard said: “You will also complete 150 hours unpaid work and attend
specific activities as directed by the Probation Service.” He was also
ordered to pay £85 costs.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 1 March, 2012. 60p.
CLUB PLAN 'NEEDS A REDESIGN'
A BID by Tilmanstone Miners Social Club to extend the sports club in
Eythorne to provide community facilities may be rejected.
A planning application to Dover District Council requests permission to
renovate the ground floor and create a first-floor extension with a
balcony at the Adelaide Road property.
The social club has applied for £450,000 from the National Lottery with
the aim of building a new meeting room, space for the Tilmanstone Miners
Heritage Display and a new kitchen, toilets and bar.
The application also outlines plans to use a rainwater harvesting system
and solar panels.
But, despite a letter from MP Charlie Elphicke supporting the proposal,
planning officer Sarah Platts says the project needs a total redesign.
However, she asks for the instruction of councillors due to discuss the
proposal at a planning meeting tonight (Thursday), saying the community
benefits may outweigh concerns.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 5 April, 2012. 60p.
Report by By Gary Wright
BEATEN WIFE BEGS COURT TO HELP PARTNER
Plea over man's drinking problem
A WIFE who was hit by her drunken husband told magistrates not to worry
about a restraining order but pleaded with them to make him get help with
his alcohol problem.
David Drummond, 46, of Prospect Place, Dover, had initially pleaded not
guilty to the charge of assaulting his wife, but changed his plea to
guilty on the day of the trial.
Folkestone magistrates had adjourned for three weeks for the preparation
of reports before Drummond appeared again for sentence last week.
They were told the attack followed a row on October 14 where Christine
Drummond had left the house to visit her sister. When she
came home at 2am, she found herself locked out.
Teresa Ruiz, prosecuting, told the court that when Drummond answered the
door to his wife he was “drunk and unsteady on his feet”.
“He followed her to the bedroom where he pushed her and said, ‘If you
are not going to leave,
I will',” said Mrs Ruiz.
Punched
“Mrs Drummond called her mother and asked her to call the police. When she
bent down to pick up some clothes that he had thrown on the floor, the
defendant punched her in the back. Her mother could hear him saying, ‘Go
on, call the police,” then, ‘Thanks, now you'll get me arrested'.”
Drummond had denied the
assault by beating charge but on the day of his trial he changed his plea.
Mrs Drummond had made a retraction statement since the assault.
She said: “I have no bruising, I just want Dave to get help, he really
needs some help.”
Defence solicitor John Nutthall told the court his client knew he had a
problem with alcohol. “It has played a part in his previous offending but
this man has not drunk since November,” he said.
“He has not been able to go home while he has been on bail for this
offence and he is looking for help with his anger management and some
marriage counselling.” Drummond was given a 12-month supervision order
with 120 hours' unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay court costs of
£500 at a rate of £50 a month.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 5 April, 2012. 65p.
Report by Gary Wright
BEER THIEF STAYS FREE
Bomb hoaxer in court
A TEENAGER jailed for a hoax bomb call was released on licence then
went out and stole two cases of beer from a supermarket, a court has
heard.
Adam Beales, 19, appeared before Folkestone magistrates last Wednesday
to be sentenced for the theft and faced going back to jail.
Beales, formerly of St Leonards Road, Deal, but now living in Orchard
Avenue, had gone into the Coop in Beauchamp Avenue on March 4 with
another man and they left with two cases of beer.
He was arrested after police reviewed CCTV but refused to identify the
other man.
“He told police he had no money and went in with intent to steal beer
because he wanted a drink,” said prosecutor Teresa Ruiz.
The court was told Beales had been sent to a young offenders institution
for 40 days after phoning Dover Priory Station and saying there was a
bomb.
He came out of jail on February 17 under a three month licence not to
re-offend and the court was told he was still waiting for his benefits
claim on the day he decided to go and steal booze.
After reading reports magistrates decided not to recall him to jail as
it was an “unrelated offence”.
Sentencing him to a 12-month supervision order with a six-month alcohol
treatment programme, chairman of the bench Richard Henderson said: “But
you will pay the £24 compensation for the beer and £85 costs.” The fine
will be paid from benefits.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 12 April, 2012. 65p.
Report by Gary Wright
DRUNK TEEN SPAT IN FACE OF OFFICER
Order breach sparks court jail warning
A TEENAGE girl who spat in the face of a police officer broke down in
tears in the dock as she realised she faced going to jail.
Kay Kelly, 18, of Parfitt Way, Dover, had been sentenced to a 12-month
community order on March 1 for the assault on a police officer after a
night out on the booze and part of her punishment was to attend sessions
with KCA to address her drink problem.
But she was back in court on Wednesday last week after failing to turn
up for the sessions as instructed - and the Probation Service were
recommending jail.
Magistrates read a full report into Kelly's background which revealed
she had moved away from her mum's house in the town to live with friends
“without guidance or support”.
Her mother sat in the back of the court and broke down in tears as
magistrates read a letter of support from her promising that Kelly could
move back home and that Kelly and her mother would comply with any
curfew restrictions imposed by the court.
Solicitor Stuart Green said his client sometimes drinks “to deal with
confidence issues”.
“This was my client's first conviction and she did not realise that
non-compliance with a community order meant that she could be sent to
prison - she was devastated,” said Mr Green.
Arrested
Kelly had been arrested on Christmas Eve after a police officer
approached her and initially had intended to deal with Kelly for being
drunk and disorderly but when he spoke with her she spat in his face.
He was joined by another officer and Kelly continued lashing out with
her feet and then she spat in the officer's face a second time.
Kelly has previous reprimands by the police for being drunk and
disorderly in October and November
2010, when she was aged 17.
The court heard that a fixed penalty issued at the time for £80 still
had £70 outstanding and there was a warrant out for Kelly's arrest for
the non-payment.
Sentencing her to 28 days in jail, suspended for 12 months, chairman of
the bench Alistair Boyd, said: “You have got yourself in a right pickle
haven't you, but thanks to the letter of support from your family I have
decided not to send you to prison - the only thing you get free in life
is help and I would urge you to take what is being offered.”
He re-sentenced her to a new 12-month community order under the
supervision of the Probation Service with 80 hours unpaid work and
ordered she complete a six month alcohol treatment programme.
She will be electronically tagged and placed under a six month 7pm to
7am curfew at her mother's house.
Mr Boyd told her: “Next time you are in that dock, you'd better bring a
toothbrush.”
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 9
April, 2012. 65p.
DRUNK MAN ABUSED TAXI DRIVERS AND SPAT ON COP
Magistrates sentence 20-year-old
DRUNKEN Josh Mallet spat on a police officer who had asked him to calm
down as he was abusing taxi drivers in Dover, a court heard.
Mallett, 20, of St Georges Place, Dover, had been out boozing with pals
when he tried to get a cabbie to take him home from Market Street at
1.15am on Saturday, March 3.
His mum watched from the public gallery as her son sat in the dock
before Folkestone magistrates on Friday to be sentenced on charges of
being drunk and disorderly and assaulting a police constable in the
execution of his duty.
Neil Sweeney, prosecuting, told the court that Special Constable
Baker had spotted Mallet acting aggressively at the cab rank.
“When officers approached him he began to verbally abuse them and
continued to swear even when he was asked to calm down,” said Mr
Sweeney.
Cannabis
“He told them: ‘Get the f*** away from me', and when he was given the
chance to leave he turned to Special Constable Baker and called him a
‘ginger biscuit c***' and then spat on his hand and trousers.”
Mallet's solicitor Donald Worsley said his client, who was getting
counselling for his cannabis use, was “ashamed of his actions” and was
hoping to land a job at Tilmanstone Salads. “My client has used cannabis
and is receiving treatment. He lives at home and he is at the mercy of
the court and hopes he can put it right.”
Magistrates read a report prepared by the Probation Service after
Mallett pleaded guilty to both charges last month.
He was told to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work and was given a
six-month community order under the supervision of the Probation Service
with six months' drug rehabilitation treatment. He was also ordered to
pay £85 towards the cost of bringing the case.
But magistrates did not order compensation for the officer because
“the assault was spitting and had not caused any physical injuries.”
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From the Dover Mercury, 19 April, 2012. 80p
PUBS HAVE INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS.
FOOD served at Shepherd Neame pubs has been recognised as the best in
the UK at the pub industry's national awards.
The company's managed houses, which include the "Royal Hotel" in Deal and
the "Bell Hotel" in Sandwich, were awarded Best Food Offer at The Publican
Awards 2012.
Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame praised the managed pub
team: “We're continually developing the quality, presentation and
service of the food in our pubs and are delighted that these endeavours
have been recognised.”
The award follows the arrival of the brewery's head development chef,
Simon Howlett, who, together with retail operations manager Graeme
Endacott, has developed chef skills through a series of workshops, each
of which is rounded-off with Master Chef-style cook-off competitions.
Graeme said: “Kent has some of the best quality ingredients in the
country and our commitment to local sourcing was another key part of our
award submission.”
Independent suppliers such as JC Rook & Sons Butchers, Griggs of Hythe
Fishmongers and RJ Kingsland Fruit and Vegetable Wholesalers are among
those they buy.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 19
January, 2012. 65p.
CASE DROPPED AGAINST CONVICT
A MAN who was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Folkestone
has had the case against him dropped because he is already in prison.
Antony Rudd, 49, of Templar Court, London Road, Dover, was charged
with being drunk and disorderly in Folkestone's Bouverie Square bus
station on February 25.
His arrest came the day after he was released on licence from prison.
He has since been recalled to prison and is expected to remain there
until February.
Crown Prosecutor Neil Sweeney had asked for the case to be reviewed
so that it could be considered whether pursuing the charge would be
cost-effective in the interests of justice. magistrates agreed to drop
the charge.
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From the Dover Mercury, 24 May,
2012. 80p
PROBLEM DRINKERS ARE POLICE TARGET
DRINKERS who cause problems in Dover town centre are being targeted by
police.
The action follows complaints about drinkers congregating in parts of
the town, including Biggin Street, Cannon Street, Market Square, Church
Street and Pencester Gardens.
Police have confiscated alcohol and issued warnings.
A police spokesman said: “We will continue to concentrate on stopping
street drinking and the associated anti-social behaviour. On Sunday we
were dealing with public drinking again. Drinkers had alcohol taken and
one person was arrested.”
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 31 May, 2012. 65p.
Report by by Simon Finlay
BOOZE CRUISES NOW BACK ON
Bargain wine hunters head to Calais
THE eurozone crisis has led to a revival of the most modern of
Kentish traditions - the cross-Channel booze
cruise.
The parlous state of the euro and favourable exchange rates are sending
bargain hunters to Calais for cheap wine and beer.
Travel expert Sharron Livingston, editor of the widely respected
www.thetravelmagazine.net, said the situation is good for ferry companies, Eurotunnel and customers. It should mean extra passengers for the
cross-Channel carriers.
She added: “The strength of the euro in recent years and the general
state of the French economy has been pretty disastrous for the Nord Pas
De Calais area.
Cheaper
“But I can definitely see the advantages of hopping on a ferry for a day
trip and stocking up on things which are significantly cheaper in the
big French supermarkets.”
Brian Rees, spokesman at P&O Ferries, said that the true picture of
passenger numbers have been “skewed” by the recent demise of the French
ferry operator SeaFrance.
Mr Rees added: “When the euro nearly reached parity with the pound
sterling recently it will have affected day trip numbers. Nowadays it is
worth going to fill up the car with diesel, for instance.”
The current exchange rate for £1 is roughly 1.25 euros, the best for
some years, and is expected to rise.
But with the Olympics, European
football championships and the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, all the
carriers and French retailers can expect a good summer's business.
Marco Attard, managing director of the Calais Wine Superstore,
reportedly has noted a ten per cent increase in trade in recent weeks.
Should the exchange rate rise to 1.35 euros to £1, that could increase
by 20 per cent.
Miss Livingston said that poor performance had seen British retail
giants Sainsbury's and Tesco shut their warehouses by 2010 while the
French branch of Majestic Wines suffered a slump in profits.
She added: “The British consumer had a great time when the euro was weak
. We should enjoy it while the conditions are back in our favour.”
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From the Dover Mercury, 31 May, 2012. 80p
'DRY PUB' BID FOR FUND CASH
A DEAL woman has relaunched plans for a “dry pub” in the town centre.
Amber Blackwell, who stood as a Conservative candidate in the town
council's North Deal by-election earlier this year, wants to create “a
cool environment” where young people can “hang out”.
The pub would serve soft drinks and food and act as a drop-in centre for
young people seeking career advice and other help. Amber also hopes to
host film nights and a other activities.
Amber has submitted her idea to Peter Jull of the Town Team as it meets
most of the criteria required for the Port as Bid for high street
regeneration.
She said: “I have received tremendous support from our MP Charlie
Elphicke, local councillors, traders and the young people the pub is
intended for. Hopefully the Town Team will find room within their bid to
help turn the idea into reality.”
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 10 June, 2012. 65p.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUELLED BY BOOZE
Warm weather brings busy time
 THE weather in recent days has been great, with plenty of sunshine
making everyone feel that summer has arrived. Hopefully it will last for
a while.
Football fever will no doubt start to grip many parts of the nation as
the World Cup kicks off. The possible downside is that warm weather and
alcohol usually mean a busy time for policing and accident and emergency
departments.
Sadly last weekend was no exception and our cells were pretty full after
busy Friday/Saturday nights.
I know that I have said it before, but people need to drink more
responsibly. Whilst it is good to see that we have seen significant
reductions in trouble in public houses and in the streets across south
Kent over the past couple of years, it is disappointing to see the
amount of arrests we have to make for domestic violence. On the positive
side I believe that victims of domestic violence are far more confident
that they will receive the support they are looking for from the police
and our partner agencies, which of course means that they are far more
likely to come forward and seek help. I am however concerned about the
part alcohol
plays in a high proportion of cases.
I certainly don't see alcohol as an excuse for the way some individuals
treat their partners or family members but I do see it as an avoidable
catalyst in some cases.
It is probably fair to say our criminal justice system in the UK has
received plenty of negative press over recent years and as a result,
public confidence in the criminal justice system has not been as high as
it could have been.
Having had the opportunity to see how the criminal justice system in
another country works has
reinforced my belief that our system is both more advanced and
efficient. In South Australia the system is very weighted in favour of
the defendant with the defence not having to give any account until the
trial, after all of the prosecution evidence has been disclosed.
Many of the cases can take a long time to come to trial, often two to
three years.
In the UK the system is designed to establish the facts and deliver
justice, a system that values victims and witnesses and is far more
efficient in bringing cases to trial, mostly within six months or so,
particularly here in Kent.
More recent changes in the way cases are managed should see cases
brought to trial more swiftly yet, which must be better for all parties
concerned. Working in South Australia with the frustrations of their
criminal justice system certainly made me appreciate what we have here.
■ If you would like to contact me you can use the direct e-mail address
especially for readers: southkentcommander® kent.pnn.police.uk
All that remains is for me to wish everyone a warm and safe weekend.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 16 June, 2012. 65p.
Report by Gary Wright
MAN STOLE SHOWER TO SELL FOR ALCOHOL CASH
Magistrates fine former alcoholic who 'had a relapse'
A FORMER alcoholic who had fallen off the wagon walked out of a
plumbers merchant with a £250 shower he intended to sell to buy booze, a
court heard.
Andrew Morgan, 43, of Noah's Ark Road, Dover, appeared before Folkestone
magistrates last week where he admitted theft of the
shower unit from TKM Plumbers in St Richard's Road, Deal, on May 15. He
also admitted possession of cannabis found by police when he was
arrested.
“Police arrived in St Richard's Road to be met by the managing director
saying a man had stolen the shower unit and made off,” Rachael Laughland,
prosecuting, told the court.
“He was tracked down and
found at another address in the town and he immediately admitted he had
stolen the shower and intended to sell it.”
Cannabis
The cannabis found in his pocket he had found, he told arresting
officers. “I smoked it and tried to get high but it didn't work - it
must be out of date,” he said in his statement to police.
Hugh Roberts, defending, said his client, who had previous convictions,
the last in 2004, had found the cannabis in the street.
“He used to have a drink problem which he had got over but he had a
relapse and fully intended to sell the shower unit to pay for alcohol,”
said Mr Roberts. He then asked magistrates to consider a conditional
discharge since he had not been in court for
six years.
Chairman of the bench Dawn Stirzaker told him he would be fined £90 for
the theft with costs totalling £100 and imposed a conditional discharge
for 12-months for the drug possession offence.
But on the advice of her clerk the conditional discharge was
withdrawn and Morgan was told there would be no separate penalty for the
drugs.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 21 June, 2012. 65p.
DRINK CHARGE
DOVER: A teenage reveller found wandering the streets of Dover in the
early hours of last weekend is to appear in court on a drunk and
disorderly charge.
Derek John Clyde, 19, was arreseted by police in Charlton Green in
the early hours of Saturday.
The Macdonald Road resident has been released on bail to answer
before Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Jult 2.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 21 June, 2012. 65p.
DRINK-DRIVE RAP
DOVER: A suspected drink-driver from Sandwich is to be hauled before
the courts.
Daniel Lewis Tyler, of Delfside, Sandwich, was stopped by police
officers in Dour Street, Dover, last Sunday.
The 22-year-old was charged with drink-driving and is due to appear
before Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Monday, July 2.
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From the Dover Mercury, 5 July, 2012. 80p
HOTEL AND HOUSES ARE NOT BEST FOR OUR TOWN
CURRENT proposals in the planning site notice DOV/12/00440 to build
around 800 houses, hotel and conference centre on Western Heights and at
Farthingloe, which are respectively a Scheduled National Monument and an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are not conforming with Dover
District Council's core strategy.
The request for planning permission by China Gateway International (CGI
is not in Dover's interests, and yet some DDC councillors have already
expressed their support for the planning request, as it fits in a wider
DDC plan to build over 9,000 houses in and around Dover over the coming
few decades.
Evidently, DDC have subsequently included Western Heights and
Farthingloe in their corporate plan 2012-2016 to accommodate the
planning proposal. CGI have in fact admitted on their own website to
having been in contact with DDC over the issue for several years.
I am of the opinion that local government did not include Western
Heights and Farthingloe in the core strategy so as to prevent it
appearing over ambitious. The corporate plan 2012-2016 resembles an
evident case of a creeping back-door policy on the part of the district
council to proceed undetected with their ambitious migration policies
from other areas into our town and district.
As a result, after deciding to take away areas of woodland and farmland
in Whitfield and Guston, DDC are now planning to desecrate a Scheduled
National Monument and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the White
Cliffs of Dover.
D. Alexander, Folkestone Road, Dover.
THE application for planning
permission by China Gateway for massive development at the Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty at Farthingloe, and the scheduled ancient
monument at Western Heights is yet another attempt by speculators, nobly
assisted by local politicians, to pull the wool over the eyes of the
public.
While it does say that this is a departure from the publicly consulted
Local Development Framework and the published Core Strategy, what it
does not clearly spell out is that it would be an extension of the
historic, topographic and natural boundary to the Urban profile of Dover
and would open the floodgates of development towards Folkestone. Do the
people of Dover truly want to see a massive urban sprawl across the
beginning of the North Downs? I think not!
Have the people been consulted in a truly meaningful way? No! What the
application actually says is, ‘give us permission to profit by building
houses within a scheduled ancient monument, and we will give you some
cash towards, ‘perhaps' doing up the Drop Redoubt!
People of Dover! Do not be fooled again by either meaningless
statements or the dubious statements uttered by politicians at
Whitfield, and at the Town hall of Dover. Put pen to paper and write to
DDC planning at Whitfield Business Park quoting reference DOV/12/O044O
and just tell them in your own words to leave our green fields and our
monuments alone.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 5 July, 2012. 65p.
DRINK-DRIVER BANNED FOR THREE YEARS.
A WOMAN found guilty of drink driving has been banned from getting
behind the wheel for three years and given 250 hours of community
service.
Aileen Hart, 61, of Monins Road, Dover, pleaded guilty to
drink-driving following an incident in Folkestone Road on Sunday, June
3.
Hart was found to be almost four times over the limit after being
stopped in her Ford Fiesta by police.
Channel magistrates also ordered her to pay £85 in costs during the
sentencing on Thursday, June 21.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 19 July, 2012. 65p.
DRINK-DRIVE BAN
A Mercedes driver has been disqualified from driving for almost three
years.
Daniel Lewis Tyler, 22, of Delfside, Sandwich, was more than three
times over the legal alcohol limit when police pulled him over on Dour
Street, Dover.
He was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work after
pleading guilty to drink driving at Channel Magistrates' Court on
Monday, July 2.
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From the Dover Mercury, 26 July, 2012. 80p
DRUNKEN GIRL SENT TO PRISON
A TEENAGE girl with a history of being drunk has been sent to prison for
20 days, three months after being ordered to undergo an alcohol
treatment programme.
Kay Kelly, 18, of Parfitt Way, Dover, was sentenced at Channel
Magistrates' Court in Folkestone.
She pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Park Avenue, Dover,
on June 23.
In March she appeared in court for assaulting a police officer after
spitting in his face twice. She had been refused entry to a nightclub in
Dover on Christmas Eve because she was too drunk.
At that time she was said to be seeking help with her drinking and was
given a 12-month community order with six months supervision and she was
told to take part in the treatment programme.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 9
August, 2012. 65p. Report by Phil Hayes
EARLY BOOZE PERMIT FURY IN DISPERSAL ORDER DISTRICT
Trader wants to serve night staff
A DECISION to extend the hours during which an off-licence can sell
alcohol to 7am has been branded ‘bizarre.'
Kandiah Sasitharan, owner of Coombe Valley Food and Wine, applied to
Dover District Council (DDC) to increase the hours at which he could
sell booze from 8am to 6am.
His off-licence is situated in a residential area which was recently
subject to a dispersal order, following antisocial behaviour. Mr
Sasitharan's proposals were objected to by representatives of DDC, Dover
Town Council and the police.
The owner said he wanted to sell alcohol from the earlier hour because
night workers from London Fancy Box, on Coombe Valley Road, often came
into his shop when their shift finished at 6am and asked for a beer.
Ruling
He was unable to sell alcohol at this time and told those customers he
would apply to DDC to try and extend his licence.
Following the council's decision to extend his licence by an hour, so he
can sell alcohol from 7am, Mr Sasitharan is still unable to serve the
Fancy Box workers when they finish their shift. He said: “What can I do?
I'll try again maybe, later.”
When councillor Sue Jones heard DDC's ruling she said: “That is rather
bizarre. That is the only word for it.
“I am disappointed the committee did not take into account the problems
suffered in St Radigunds recently, which led to a dispersal area. More
than that what message is DDC giving out?
“This is the second extended licence in recent weeks. There should be a
cumulative impact study for the district.
“A residential area like ours has enough problems without access to
alcohol at all hours and temptation will only impact the health and well-being of our young people and those struggling with alcohol
addiction.”
Allison Burton, DTC town clerk, said: “It seemed an odd decision given
it didn't enable Mr Sasitharan to reach those customers.
“Our view is that there are significant alcohol abuse problems in Dover.
For it to be sold at 7am in the morning simply makes it easier for
people needing a drink to get hold of one.”
Before the decision, PC Stephen Alexander, of Kent Police, said there
seems “no reason to justify starting to serve alcohol from 6am”.
According to DDC, the sub-committee considered the area's past problems
carefully when reaching its decision.
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From the Dover Mercury, 16 August, 2012. 80p
MAN JAILED FOR STEALING ALCOHOL
A THIEF who stole alcohol from a garage while he was under a
suspended sentence has been jailed.
Wayne Denham, 45, of Maison Dieu Place, Dover, admitted burglary.
He had taken crates of alcohol from a garage in Dover's Market Square on
July 30. Canterbury Magistrates gave him a 90-day prison sentence.
Because the offence was committed during the operational period of a
suspended sentence, he will serve a total of 210 days in prison.
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From the Dover Mercury, 23 August, 2012. 80p
TEEN IN COURT OVER ALCOHOL ORDER
A TEENAGE girl who was sent to prison for being drunk was due back in
court again yesterday (Wednesday) for allegedly failing to comply with
the requirements of a community order.
In July, Kay Kelly, 18, of Parfitt Way, was sent to prison for 20 days,
three months after being ordered to undergo an alcohol treatment
programme.
She had pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Park Avenue,
Dover,
on June 23. In March she had appeared in court for assaulting a police
officer after spitting in his face twice.
She had been refused entry to a nightclub in Dover on Christmas Eve
because she was too drunk.
DRINKING
At that time she was said to be seeking help with her drinking and was
given a 12-month community order with six
months supervision and was told to take part in the treatment programme.
But now she is alleged to have failed, without reasonable excuse, to
comply with the community order by failing to attend for supervision
four days after the order was made, failing to attend an appointment on
July 26, failing to attend for supervision on July 27 and failing to
provide written proof to explain the missed appointments.
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From the Dover Mercury, 23 August, 2012. 80p
STEAM TRAINS, ALE AND CIDER AT FESTIVAL
STEAM train rides and ales and ciders from Kent and from as far field
as Lancashire will ensure an unforgettable bank holiday weekend at the
East Kent Railway at Shepherdswell.
The 4th Ale and Cider Festival will take place from Saturday to Monday,
August 25-27, from 11am-6pm.
Trains will operate between Shepherdswell and Eythorne, where there will
be real ale and real cider bars and a food tent.
There will be 12 firkins of real ale with a taste-off between Kent and
Lancashire. Home-produced real ales will be represented by Gadd's The
Ramsgate Brewery and Canterbury's Wantsum Brewery.
Music, cards, dominoes and quizzes will provide extra entertainment.
Tickets are £10 per adult and include weekend train travel and a pint of
ale. More details are available at
www.eastkentrailway.co.uk
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 30 August, 2012. 65p.
Exclusive by Phil Hayes
TOWN COUNCIL SPENDS £1k ON ALCOHOL
Sandwich splashes out ten times as much as Deal
SANDWICH Town Council has splashed out more than 10 times as much
money on booze this year as its counterparts in Deal and more than five
times as much as in Dover.
Since the start of the year, £1,390.11 of taxpayers' money has been
spent on alcohol by STC. Taking the discount it receives from Hercules
Wine Bar on bulk orders into consideration, this equates to around 218
bottles, or 163 litres, of drink.
Meanwhile Deal Town Council has spent just £131.28 on alcohol and
Dover Town Council has forked out £250, according to each local
authority's town clerk.
All three of the councils have a mayor's hospitality budget to cover
the cost of food and alcohol at civic functions such as the mayor's
cocktail party - events that often raise money for charity.
But the Sandwich mayor's cocktail party was supplied with £375.30
worth of booze compared with just £54 spent on drink at the Deal
equivalent.
STC's town clerk Melanie Kingshott said the hospitality budget is set
by the council's finance committee and approved by full council in
November of each year.
“It should be noted that these events are not closed events but open
to all members of the public. In particular, the cocktail party is a
thank you to all the groups and organisations within the town to thank
them for all their hard work and dedication for the town,” she added.
Mayor of Dover Cllr Anne Smith said: “Perhaps in Sandwich they are
more into hospitality than Dover. Perhaps we don't do it on as big a
scale.
“In this climate we are careful how much we spend because it's not
right if you overspend, especially if some people can't afford to go
out.
“If we do something like a quiz night, people have to bring their own
drinks.”
John O'Connell, research director of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said:
“Overspending town councils should look to their neighbours for some
tips, as it's clear that there's still room to save taxpayers' cash by
taking the same simple measures that their colleagues are.
“Town councils have an important role to play in their local areas so
it's crucial that councillors work that little bit harder to cut out
wasteful spending.
“That way they can look to reduce precepts and ease the pressure on
hard-pressed families struggling with huge council tax bills.”
Mayor of Sandwich Cllr Jeremy Watts (above) declined to comment.
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From the Dover Mercury, 6 September, 2012. 80p
ALE AND CIDER FESTIVAL
Pounds mount up as pints go down.
Above photo. Paul Skelton and Dave Underdown.
HUNDREDS of people attended the Ale and Cider Festival at the East
Kent Railway over the bank holiday weekend, providing a big boost to the
charity's funds.
Above picture:- Kev Wells running the bar at Eythorne station.
It was the fourth and most successful such festival to date held at
the railway, which runs trains between Shepherdswell and Eythome.
In fact it proved so popular an extra train had to be run to cater
for everyone who attended.
Over the course of three days visitors were able to enjoy 12 real
ales and five real ciders.
Above photo:- Station staff at the East Kent Railway.
All the ciders and half the ales were sourced locally while the rest
of the ales were from a variety of breweries in Lancashire.
The Kent selection proved to be the winners as their barrels were
among the first to run dry.
“For the first time this year, we organised some live music during
early Sunday evening,” said spokesman Charles Sharp.
Above photo:- Dutch visitors Gerrit and Claire ten Hove on the Eythorne
platform enjoying the beers.
“The Occasional Orchestra were such a hit that an extra train was
operated to allow customers to stay longer so that they could continue
soaking up the atmosphere, helped by the excellent weather.
“The event raised more than £2,000 for the railway, which is a
significant boost to our funds.” During the next few months the railway
plans to hold an Electric Gala, on September 15 and 16, Ghost Trains on
October 27 and 28, and Santa Trains, which will run on weekends in
December.
Above photo:- The Ale and Cider festival raises more than £2,000 for
the East Kent Railway.
■ Further details are available from
www.eastkentrailway.co.uk
All picture: Fiona Stapley-Harding
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 6 September, 2012. 65p.
DRUNKEN MEN WERE SERVED BY SHOP BOsS
A SHOP owner in Dover has been fined for selling alcohol to two drunk
men spotted slurring their words and losing their balance.
Neighbourhood police community support officer Tom Tucker-Smythe was
on patrol in the town centre on August 22 when he saw the tipsy pair
walk out of a shop with booze in a bag.
PCSO Smythe issued the store owner with an £80 fixed penalty notice
for breaching section 141 of the Licensing Act after the two men
admitted they were drunk.
PC Steve Alexander, licensing officer for the district, said: “During
the summer there has been information received that a number of the
local retail shops have been selling alcohol to people that are already
drunk.
Offence
“This is an offence under the Licensing Act and will be dealt with
robustly if proven.
“This could result in a review and an application to revoke the
licence, and as a result, that premises would not be allowed to sell any
alcohol in the future.”
Last month a Dover District Council licensing sub-committee allowed
an off-licence to begin serving alcohol an hour earlier, at 7am.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 6 September, 2012. 65p.
3-YEAR ROAD BAN FOR DRINK-DRIVER
DOVER: A drink-driver caught twice over the limit last month has been
disqualified from driving for more than three years.
Karl Ivan Shopland, 45, of Manor Road, Dover, admitted drink-driving
on the A2 in Sittingbourne.
Mid Kent magistrates also fined him £110 and ordered him to pay a
total of £100 in costs and a victim surcharge.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 13 September, 2012.
65p.
MAN FINED FOR SUPPLYING DRINK
WALMER: A man was fined for buying bottles of alcohol for two young
girls last week.
The individual from Deal was issued with a £80 fixed penalty after
being spotted on CCTV leaving a newsagents' with booze on Thursday. The
operators watched him exchange the alcohol for some of the youngsters'
money on The Strand.
Neighbourhood officer PC Paul Tutthill tracked down the man and
issued him with the penalty notice.
Sgt Chris Gurney from Deal Neighbourhood policing unit said: “Not
only was he committing a criminal offence but he was also putting the
health and safety of these young girls at risk.”
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 13 September, 2012.
65p.
TWO YEAR BAN
A drink-driver who was more than three times over the limit has been
banned from driving.
Marek Pozniak, 48, of Douglas Road, Dover, pleaded guilty to
drink-driving earlier this month.
Pozniak was pulled over in York Street on August 17 and gave a breath
test of 124 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Magistrates disqualified Pozniak from driving for 24 months and
ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within the next year.
He must also pay £85 costs.
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From the Dover Mercury, 27 September, 2012. 80p
SUSPENDED SENTENCE
A MAN with a drink problem who assaulted another man in Dover last month
has been given a suspended prison sentence. Stuart Stroud, 26, of
Heathfield Avenue, Dover, was sentenced to 112 days in prison, suspended
for 18 months, after pleading guilty to assault. The offence happened in
London Road on August 18.
Magistrates also ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work
within the next 12 months and to undergo treatment for his alcohol
dependency. He must pay £250 in compensation and £85 costs.
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From the Dover Mercury, 30 August, 2012. 80p
FINE FOR SELLING ALCOHOL TO DRUNKEN MEN
LICENSEES and their staff are being warned to be careful who they sell
alcohol to after one retailer was caught selling booze to two drunks.
Neighbourhood PCSO Tom Tucker-Smythe was on patrol in Dover town centre
last Wednesday when he saw two men walk out of a shop with alcohol in a
bag.
He suspected that they had already drunk a large amount
and noticed they were slurring their words and were unsteady on their
feet.
They admitted they were drunk and had bought alcohol from the shop.
PCSO Tucker-Smythe then challenged the owner of the shop and issued him
with a £80 fixed penalty notice for breaching section 141 of the
Licensing Act.
Licensing officer PC Steve Alexander said: “During the
Summer there has been information received that a number of the local
retail shops have been selling alcohol to people who are drunk.
“This is an offence under The Licensing Act and will be dealt with
robustly if proven.
“This could result in a review and an application to revoke the licence,
and as a result, that premises would not be allowed to sell alcohol in
the future.”
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From the Dover Mercury, 4 October, 2012. 80p
JUDGE SPEAKS OUT OVER TOWN CENTRE DRUNKEN BRAWL
No-go areas ruled by yobs
DRUNKEN louts have turned parts of town centres like Dover into “no-go”
areas for decent people, a judge has warned.
The criticism by Judge Simon James came after he saw CCTV footage of an
attack by a drunk yob outside the KFC restaurant in Market Square,
Dover.
That violent incident - involving several people - led to a man being
left unconscious.
'There are parts of our towns and cities which have become no-go areas
for decent people late at night'
The judge told 23-year-old Jamie Clubb: “There are parts of our towns
and cities which have become no-go areas for decent people late at night
just exactly because of the drunken yobbery you and your friends were
involved with on that night.
“And people are entitled to look to the courts to punish those whose
unlawful violence causes alarm, harassment and distress.”
He said that Clubb, of Mount Road, Dover, had been “literally fighting
drunk” during the incident and ordered him to pay compensation to two of
the victims of the affray, Stuart Harvey and Mark Aldridge.
“You were hardly able to stand yet you were intent on continuing to
threaten a man who was clearly unconscious and in no way a threat to you or anybody else.
“You simply didn't care who got in your way, whether they were female or
peacemaker seemed to matter not to you...so intent you were on using
violence.
“A clear message has to go out that such behaviour is unacceptable and
will not be tolerated.”
Prosecutor Denzil Pugh had told Canterbury Crown Court that Mr Harvey
and friends had been out in March and in the early hours were outside
the restaurant.
“On account of no doubt the amount of alcohol he had consumed, Clubb,
who was passing, chose to make a totally gratuitous and offensive remark
in his direction.”
Clubb, who works as a £350 a week trackman on secondment to Network
Rail, then shouted: “Do you want some?” before the two grappled.
Mr Pugh said Clubb's friends joined in and a further punch was thrown
at Mr Harvey, knocking him to the ground unconscious.
"Friends of the victim then tried to keep Clubb away... who was
clearly very angry and belligerent.” He said Clubb also threatened to
head-butt a woman, saying he didn't she if she was a girl.
"Although there is no evidence that the punch which knocked Mr Harvey
to the ground came from Clubb, the CCTV footage clearly shows him
throwing a punch at someone else in the group.”
Mr Harvey's friend Mr Aldridge was then punched as he tried to pacify
the drunken yob, the court heard.
Richard Saynor, defending, said: “He was acting in an
aggressive and unpleasant manner that evening. He accepts that he was
involved in acts of violence. He is now extremely remorseful and regrets
that he had drunk so much.
The Judge gave Clubb a six month jail sentence suspended for 12
months and ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid work. he admitted
affray.
He was also ordered to pay Mr Harvey £100 and Mr Aldridge £50
compensation and £150 costs.
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From the Dover Mercury, 4 October, 2012. 80p
UNINSURED DRIVER ADMITS BEING OVER LIMIT
A DOVER woman who was more than three times over the drink-drive
limit was due to be sentenced by magistrates yesterday (Wednesday).
Zoe Skillin, 26, of Heathfield
Avenue, was arrested on August 26 while driving a Vauxhall Corsa on the
A258 Dover to Deal road.
A breath test showed she had 111 microgrammes of alcohol in 100
millilitres of breath. The
legal limit is 35. She was also uninsured.
Skillin pleaded guilty to both offences on September 11 when the case
was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.
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From the Dover Mercury, 18 October, 2012. 80p
DRINK-DRIVERS ARE BANNED
TWO motorists from Folkestone who admitted drink-driving in Dover
have been banned from driving by magistrates.
Neil Ball, 38, of Dover Road, Folkestone, drove a Peugeot 206 in Eaton
Road on September 10, and when stopped gave a breath test of 105
microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exactly three
times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Magistrates disqualified Ball for two years and ordered him to carry out
90 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. He must also pay £85
costs.
Disqualification can be reduced by six months if, by 31 January 2014, he
satisfactorily completes a driving course.
Louise Sharp, 29, of Taylor Road, Folkestone, drove a Vauxhall Astra in
Townwall Street, Dover on September 13 and when stopped gave a breath
test of 104 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
Magistrates disqualified Sharp from driving for 52 months and ordered
her to have treatment for her alcohol dependency. She must also pay £85
costs.
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From the Dover Mercury, 25 October, 2012. 80p
COURT JAILS DRINK-DRIVER FOR 90 DAYS
A MOTORIST who was more than three times the legal drink-drive limit
at Dover's Eastern Docks has been given a prison sentence and banned
from driving for three years.
Modestas Ruibys, 31, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Channel
Magistrates' Court on October 15.
He pleaded guilty to drink driving following an incident at the docks on
September 22.
Ruibys drove a VW Golf and when stopped gave a breath test of 123
microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is
35 microgrammes.
Magistrates sentenced Ruibys to 90 days in prison, which will include
the 10 days he spent in custody on remand. His disqualification can be
reduced by 27 days if, by November 2014, he completes a course approved
by the Secretary of State.
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From the Dover Mercury, 22 November, 2012. 80p.
ALCOHOL RESTRICTION ORDER IS UNNECESSARY
DOES the absurd Early Morning Alcohol Restriction Order proposed for
Deal town centre include all town centre pubs, including the new one
opening next year in Queen Street? And if not, why not?
It would be interesting to know if certain pubs are getting special
treatment ahead of others. And if so, why? If this is the case, wouldn't
this hand an unfair commercial advantage to certain places to the
detriment, and probable demise, of the rest of the town centre's pubs
and the subsequent death of Deal's evening economy, creating a wild west
ghost town at night, with everyone crammed into one cavernous vertical
drinking barn and in so doing adding to Deal's unemployment figures and
creating huge, untold problems of its own?
Can those in the know please confirm the opening hours proposed for
the forthcoming pub in Queen Street? Is the same criteria being applied
to all pubs, restaurants and hotels in the town?
Why is a sledgehammer being used to crack a nut? Deal has relatively
few late-night problems: certainly nothing that an actual proper police
presence - say a couple of officers - in the town centre couldn't sort
out on a Friday and Saturday night.
Early Morning Restriction Orders are for big cities like Manchester,
Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, not towns like Deal where things are made
tough enough for businesses to survive as it is.
Why this hysterical over-reaction? This is Deal, for heaven's sake,
not the South Bronx.
Andy Stevens, Trafalgar Drive, Walmer.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 13 December, 2012. 65p.
ALCOHOL CHARGES
Two Welsh brothers appeared in court last week accused of evading
duty on alcohol they carried through Dover.
Alan Jones, 42, and Jason Jones, 41, of Llysawel, Llandanel,
Llandeilo, Wales, both denied the charges when they appeared at
Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Friday. They were committed for trial
at Maidstone Crown Court, where they are due to appear on January 21.
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From the Dover Mercury, 20 December, 2012. 80p.
DRINK AND DRUGS WARNING FOR DRIVERS GOING ABROARD
MOTORISTS heading for the continent are being warned they may well be
tested for alcohol and drugs while driving in Europe.
Police officers have been conducting an enforcement operation and the
European Traffic Police Network is urging drivers to “drive sober, drive
clean” by avoiding alcohol and drugs.
“The danger of driving while impaired by alcohol, or drugs, or a
combination of the two, is clearly documented - and backs up why it is
against the law in every European country,” says TISPOL President Koen
Ricour.
“Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive, and you don't have
to be committing an offence to be taking a risk. “Those who choose to
ignore all the warnings and drive after drinking or using drugs are
taking an unacceptable risk and are putting the lives of others in
danger.
“That's why officers will be stepping up their enforcement.
Drivers can expect highly visible and widespread enforcement of alcohol
and drug laws during the operation, at any location and at any time of
day or night.
“Our advice is clear, simple and unequivocal. If you have had a drink,
do not drive. If you need to drive, then do not drink.
“If you have used recreational drugs, then do not drive. If you are
taking medicine, whether prescribed or purchased over the counter, then
read the notes of advice that go with it. If these tell you not to drive
after taking the medicine, then do not drive. The advice is there for a
reason, to keep you and others safe.
“If you are in any doubt about medicines and driving, then our advice is
to consult a healthcare professional before you get behind the wheel.”
During a similar operation in December last year more than a million
drivers were checked in 27 European countries and officers reported
13,588 alcohol offences and 1,300 drug offences.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 20 December, 2012. 65p.
DRINK-DRIVE BAN
A man caught more than two times over the limit has been banned from
driving.
Tomasz Miksza, 30, of Dover Road, Sandwich, drove a Mercedes on
November 18 on the A256 in Dover.]
When stopped he gave a breath test of 111 micrograms of alcohol in
100 millilitres of breath.
Miksza pleaded guilty at Channel Magistrates' Court to drink-driving.
Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 28 months and fined him
£500. He must also pay £85 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.
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