Dover News - February 2009

Young people and members of the community have been invited to go along to the next Dover Town Neighbourhood Forum meeting on 11 February at Dover Town Council Offices from 4pm, where young people are being asked "What's On Your Mind?"

As February makes a snowy start, it's time to look forward to a summer packed with events in Dover District! That's the message from Dover District Council as they look forward to a range of events for all the family.

A 49 year old Wokingham man, James McCartney, was sentenced on Friday at Canterbury Crown Court to 14 years imprisonment for attempting to smuggle 37.11 kilos of cocaine into the UK through the Port of Dover. The drugs had an estimated street value of £2.3 million.

Following the success of Dover District Council's @ your service Castle Street office, Kent County Council has now agreed to join with Dover District Council and expand the service to provide even more help for even more residents in one visit.

Innovative new play equipment has been opened at Elms Vale Recreation Ground by Dover District Council, as part of an ongoing commitment to invest in key play areas and to promote accessibility across the district.

A 65 year-old grandfather who smuggled 286 kilos of cannabis resin worth £824,000 into the UK through Dover in the back of his camper van was jailed for five years today.

A Kent based lorry driver who drove through the Customs controls at Dover's Eastern Docks without stopping was jailed on Monday (23 February 2009) for five years, after being found guilty of smuggling 7,169,400 cigarettes and evading revenue of over one million pounds.

A man who attempted to smuggle six kilos of cocaine into the UK was jailed for eight years at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday, 24th February 2009. The estimated street value of the drugs was £240,000.

Dover District Council is launching extra initiatives to help residents and businesses during the current economic climate. A new team, working with Citizens Advice Bureau and Pensions Service, is holding roadshows where help is needed, in the heart of communities.