East Sussex rapist who preyed on vulnerable women gets 15 years...

August 14, 2015, 12:45 am

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A sexual predator who preyed on young and vulnerable women has been sentenced to 15 years for sexual offences.Karl Hance, 28, of Church Twitten, Lewes appeared at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing. He was given eight years for sexual assault by penetration and rape against one woman, and 15 years for sexual assault by penetration, two counts of rape and one of causing actual bodily harm. The sentence will run concurrently.The offences took place in Lewes during 2014 and both women were known to...

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Doctors accused of causing the death of a mother at Tunbridge...

August 14, 2015, 2:54 am

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Two doctors charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of mother at Tunbridge Wells Hospital are set to enter their pleas at the Old Bailey today.Anaesthetists Errol Cornish, 67, and Nadeem Azeez, 52, are both accused of causing the death of Offham Primary School teacher Frances Cappuccini, who died during a caesarian section in 2012.In the first case of its kind, the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS trust has also been charged with corporate manslaughter after Mrs...

Carl Radmore's heartbroken family pay tribute to 'beloved son,...

August 14, 2015, 3:53 am

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The heartbroken family of a father-of-two killed in a hit and run in Southborough have paid tribute to their "beloved son, brother and daddy".Carl Radmore, 24, from Tonbridge, died after being hit on the A26 slip road, which joins the A21 northbound at Tonbridge, in the early hours of Saturday August 8.Today, Mr Radmore's family said: "There is nothing we can say or do about what has happened to our beloved son, brother and daddy, Carl."You had so much to live for. You have...

How a Tunbridge Wells university campus could look

August 14, 2015, 12:00 am

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The artist's vision above is how one forward-thinking Bidborough man thinks a university for the town could look.With its abundant foliage, curvy lines and water features, this impression is certainly eye-catching.John Albiston of Darnley Drive would like to see this sort of innovative design used for a Tunbridge Wells university, and he has a meeting with Kent County Council on September 15 to explore his ideas, including funding.Mr Albiston contacted the Courier after our story last week...

Safety bollards put in for road safety 'cause accidents' say...

August 14, 2015, 12:00 am

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Concerned villagers in Lamberhurst are demanding new road safety measures after a series of accidents and near-misses.Traffic-calming obstacles at the side of the road, designed to make cars give way and slow down, are being ignored, with vehicles nearly hitting each other.Some drivers have failed to spot the obstacles in the dark.A motorcycle crash in July has prompted a petition signed by more than 150 villagers.Campaigners posted the petition at The Chequers Inn, restaurant La Dolce Vita and...

Warden fines bus for stopping - at a marked bus stop in...

August 14, 2015, 12:00 am

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Bus bosses have hit out after one of their vehicles was slapped with a fine – for stopping at a bus stop.Go Coach's route 234 service was parked briefly outside Tesco on Edenbridge High Street awaiting its scheduled departure time, with a passenger on board.But its driver was stunned to emerge from a quick trip to a nearby bakery to find a warden issuing the bus with a £70 ticket.The company is now locked in a battle with Sevenoaks District Council over the validity of the fine,...

Multi-million pound solutions needed to solve Tunbridge Wells'...

August 14, 2015, 12:00 am

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Multi-million pound solutions are needed to tackle transport issues and support growth in Tunbridge Wells.Six thousand homes must be built in the borough by 2026 – and transport chiefs said roads must be up to the job. Some work has already started – the £69.7 million A21 dualling and the North Farm infrastructure upgrade.Other projects are far from ready – the A21 dualling from Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst is still being lobbied for. Funding is in place for some,...

Forgotten Fields festival, Eridge Park organisers admit they got...

August 14, 2015, 12:00 am

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SOME festival-goers were seething after portaloos flooded a campsite and young families and hedonists were forced to camp side by side at the first Forgotten Fields festival, in East Sussex.The 4,000-capacity 'boutique' festival was stretched to the limit and overflow campsites had to be set up.Despite shuttle buses from Tunbridge Wells station taking people to Eridge Deer Park, a lack of signposting meant people had to search for the bus stop and then faced a long walk to reach the site once...

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Experts' warning after poisonous hogweed found on Tonbridge...

August 14, 2015, 7:23 am

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Children have been warned to stay vigilant after an invasive plant which can cause third-degree burns and even blindness was discovered in Tonbridge.Giant hogweed has hit the headlines this summer after a spate of incidents in which youngsters have been hospitalised after brushing against its toxic stem.The stem of the towering plant holds a sap that causes the skin to become extremely sensitive to sunlight, resulting in excruciating blistering and weeping sores.After making contact with the...

Road rage incident in Tunbridge Wells

August 14, 2015, 8:43 am

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Reports are coming in of a road rage incident in Tunbridge Wells.According to witnesses, a male driver was headbutted on Grosvenor Road by a man who then pulled off his own number plate and drove away.It happened at around 4.30pm on Friday (August 14.Two men are believed to have been in the car which drove away, neither are thought to be English and one is wearing a pink stripey top.Kent Police are understood to have been called to the scene.

Dartford Crossing closures this weekend

August 15, 2015, 4:15 am

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Motorists are advised to be aware that the southbound Dartford Crossing is due to be closed overnight on Saturday August 15 for a new gantry to be installed.The closure of the QEII Bridge is due to be in place from 10pm on Saturday until 5.30am on Sunday although the exact timing of the closure will be subject to traffic levels.The gantry being installed at junction 1a of the M25 will house information signs for drivers.The southbound M25 will be closed from junction 30 to junction 1a, with a...

Have you seen this man wanted after a knifepoint robbery?

August 15, 2015, 4:38 am

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Kent Police is appealing for information after a man reported being robbed at knifepoint in Mote Park, Maidstone.The 27-year-old victim told officers he was forced to hand over £40 in the incident, which occurred between midnight and 12.30am on Saturday, August 8.He reported that he was watching the stars when approached by a man who pulled a knife on him, near a footbridge that crosses the lake. After handing over the money, the suspect ran away into the trees.Officers have now released a...

Largest ever Battle of Britain flypast set for Kent and Sussex

August 15, 2015, 5:43 am

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Vintage warplanes will roar over Kent, Sussex and Surrey on Tuesday to commemorate the fiercest fighting of the Battle of Britain.The aircraft will sweep across the three counties to recreate the Second World War patrols of 75 years ago.In what has been hailed as the biggest memorial flight of its kind, 18 Spitfires and six Hurricanes will scramble from Biggin Hill Airport at 12.45pm, before splitting into three formations of eight aircraft.The first – Grice flight – will head south...

Music fans still waiting for High Definition festival cash refund

August 14, 2015, 12:00 am

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Angry ticket-holders are "at their wits' end" after waiting more than ten weeks for High Definition festival to refund their cash.Organisers announced a last-minute change of venue and date in May – moving the hit dance festival from Tunbridge Well's Eridge Park in July to the Hop Farm in September.They cited "irresolvable issues" with the original venue, and promised to refund ticket-holders unable to make the new date.But months on, disappointed ticket-holders are...

Tunbridge Wells Batman's latest message to the town

August 15, 2015, 7:00 am

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Tunbridge Wells' Batman continues to add to the intrigue surrounding his identity following his most recent encounter with the public.Our caped crusader was caught on camera again last night by Michelle Reader who sent this picture to the Courier featuring his latest message to the town's residents and media.The note on his back reads: "Who am I? Doesn't matter. Who I want to help does."This message is in the same vein as the one seen in Langton Green earlier this week which said:...

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Hurricane wows Tunbridge Wells in memorial fly past

August 16, 2015, 3:17 am

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Residents of Tunbridge Wells were stunned after a Hurricane circled the town in memory of one of its former inhabitants.The fighter jet flew alongside a Spitfire in memory of Sir Hugh Dowding, who lived in the town until his death in 1970. And a service in Calverley Grounds was also held, including a minute's silence.It marked 75 years since Britain's defeat of the Luftwaffe in 1940. Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding was head of Fighter Command at the time.

Kind Tunbridge Wells barber cuts hair for the homeless

August 16, 2015, 3:47 am

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A kind-hearted barber from Tunbridge Wells is providing free haircuts for homeless people in the town but needs a women's hairdresser to join him.Last Tuesday evening in the Crescent Road car park, Darryl Lawson, 29, cut the hair of ten homeless men after one of his customers who has struggled with drug addiction in the past mentioned the soup kitchen which is held there weekly.Mr Lawson plans to offer his services regularly in the hope that a new haircut will help boost people's self-esteem and...

Temporary traffic lights next week as A21 work continues

August 16, 2015, 4:21 am

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Drivers are warned to expect disruption next week as improvement work continues on the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury.Temporary two-way traffic lights will be in place between Vauxhall and Longfield overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from tomorrow (Monday) for five nights. Work is due to be complete in spring 2017.

First Chequerboard Live event held in Tonbridge today

August 16, 2015, 4:30 am

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Missed the big festivals this year? Fear not.Tonbridge Town Team is putting on its first outdoor gig by the Angel Centre today to showcase creative talent in the area.The first Chequerboard Live gig features three bands – all with connections to the town – and there will be craft activities and food stalls.Howard Porter, chairman of the team, has also helped organise the Live in the Launderette events, which have proved to be a big success.He said: "This is intended as a family...

Tobacco companies offer to help pay for cost of litter clear up...

August 16, 2015, 6:29 am

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Some 122 tons of cigarette butts and packaging are dropped in the UK every day but despite offers from tobacco companies to help shoulder the costs, ministers have told councils not to do so.In Tunbridge Wells, Environmental Enforcement Officers are employed by the borough council and paid to fine the public for dropping fag ends at £80 each, with those who refuse to pay ending up in court.Last month a junior Environment minister last month rejected the offer by cigarette companies to...