Kent faces court cuts

Licensees in Kent could be forced to make long and costly journeys to attend court because of a plan to cut the number of magistrates courts in the county from eight to three. The proposals have already been challenged by the Magistrates Association of Kent, a leading Labour MP and now local licensees. Russell Roberts, of the White Hart at Claygate, near Mardon, said the move would only make it more awkward for licensees to do their job properly. Roberts, who is vice chairman of the Guild of Master Victuallers and past president of the Kent Federation of Licensed Victuallers, added: "It's going to mean that if licensees need to attend court, they're going to have to write off a day which many can ill afford to do at the present time. "They'll have to employ staff to cover the bar and then tackle long and costly journeys." Jim Watson, secretary of the Kent Federation of Licensed Victuallers, said: "It may also lead to the loss of local knowledge. Existing experienced magistrates know individual pubs and areas and are able to offer advice to their colleagues sitting on a particular bench but this may no longer happen." The proposals, tabled by Kent Magistrates Courts Committee, will go out for consultation. Under the Licensing Bill due to become law in June 2004, local authorities will take on the responsibility for liquor licensing. Appeals on decisions will be heard by the magistrates courts. Damages for pub cleaner A pub cleaner who needed six pins surgically inserted into her broken ankle after a work-related accident has received a four-figure payout in compensation. Janette Cleaver, 53, of Walcot Road, Market Harborough, Leics, had worked at the town's Village Inn pub in St Mary's Road for 13 years before the accident on 31 October 2000. Mrs Cleaver had taken the rubbish out in the morning, but as she was going back into the pub, a gust of wind caught the door, trapping her ankle. She heard her ankle snap and collapsed. In agony, she managed to attract the attention of two men in a passing car. Doctors at Kettering General Hospital inserted five pins into the right side of her broken ankle and another pin in the left, which will remain there for the rest of her life. The four-figure payout is part of an out-of-court settlement. Cleaver said: "I took my employers to court because I felt that, although I was only the cleaner, I still had rights." Host hurt in armed raid Police are hunting a gang who attacked a pub manager after closing time then fled with cash. The manager, who has not been named, discovered intruders in the living quarters of the New Rose & Crown at Rubery, near Birmingham. He was hit on the head with a hammer and a piece of wood, and one of the three-man gang threatened to stab him with a screwdriver. The men escaped over rooftops with £100. A police spokesman said: "This is a worrying incident as the offenders were armed with weapons and prepared to use them. "It was a nasty and violent incident and we need help from the public to identify these three men." The manager was left with cuts and bruises to his head and also suffered from shock. Police are appealing for information from anyone who was in the vicinity of the pub at around 12.30am on Wednesday, 29 January. Historic site is trashed The EMD cinema in Waltham, London, has been devastated during a marathon 30-hourillegal rave. The historic grade-II listed building was covered in graffiti, and seats and projection equipment were ripped out and stolen during the frenzy. Dozens of residents had to endure a sleepless night after up to 500 ravers broke into the building at around 2am on Sunday. They were still there at noon on Monday. Booming music and noisy clubbers kept residents awake and police were powerless to act as they were hugely outnumbered. The building is owned bythe Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.