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This week we look at the £2m+ pension fraud committed by two men from Tunbridge Wells, the newly-NHS Fordcombe Hospital opens and a student expresses her love for Greggs. The Puppetry Festival continues this week, so make sure to check the listings and the most of what's on.

WEATHER

Monday: 12°C 🌡️ 18°C | 🌧️

Tuesday: 12°C 🌡️ 17°C | 🌧️

Wednesday: 10°C 🌡️ 16°C | ☁️

MAIN STORY

What Happened: Wood Green Crown Court has jailed Martin Kelly and Ryan Allen, both from Tunbridge Wells for their involvement in pension fraud. The large-scale fraud saw over £170,000 stolen from victims under the guise of investments. Simon Hooper from Cheltenham was also jailed.

The trio operated through Rationale Asset Management PLC ("RAM"). The group created fraudulent investment plans in the company. Kelly and Hooper then persuaded victims to transfer their pension savings. Allen, acting as an independent financial advisor, enabled the transfers. The men used the funds to pay off personal debts and finance lavish lifestyles. Their combined sentence exceeded 15 years. They were also issued seven-year Director Disqualification Orders.

How It Worked: Hooper and Kelly established RAM as a front business. They positioned it as an investment company focused on high-return opportunities. Care homes, hotels, and pubs all offered. RAM convinced victims to transfer their pensions into these projects.

Allen used his standing as a financial advisor to gain the trust of the victims and ease the transfers. The trio would immediately divert a large amount of the funds towards personal use. Their manipulation resulted in large financial losses for the victims. It also funded the criminals extravagant lifestyles.

Further Details: Investigations revealed the involvement of further companies. Value Asset Management and Merydion Corporation Limited were also both use to mislead investors. Diverting millions of pounds without making genuine property investments. Both companies were later wound up by the courts. An Insolvency Service investigation found that the investments were fictitious.

RAM raised over £2 million under the pretence of care home and hotel investments. Only a small part was ever used for the stated purposes.

THE BRIEF

❤️‍🩹 New NHS Hospital: The previously private Fordcombe Hospital has seen its first patients as an NHS facility. The location was acquired from Spire Healthcare in March. All 170 staff working for Spire now work for the NHS Trust.

🍔 One Star: The newly opened Burger King in Tunbridge Wells has received the lowest food hygiene rating of any branch in the UK. Inspectors awarded the location a one-star rating, highlighting "dirty and greasy" equipment. Burger King said: “The environmental health officer revisited the restaurant, and it now has a five-star rating after we conducted a full internal audit and implemented all corrective actions.

🎁 Gift Shop Opening: Award-winning gift retailer, Maybugs will open a new location in Tunbridge Wells next month. MD Greg Rose said: "We've been hunting for the right premises in Tunbridge Wells for two years."

🫛 No to "Meat-Free"?: The Countryside Alliance has criticised Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for encouraging "Meat-Free Mondays" and "Vegetarian Lunches". The group criticised the Council for "using resources designed to discourage people from consuming the staples of Britain's farming industry."

🧁 Greggs Group: Esme from Tunbridge Wells has helped set up a group devoted to bakery chain Greggs. With other super-fan students at Newcastle University, trips are planned to the Newcastle Greggs HQ and a 'Greggs crawl'.

THIS WEEK

An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck | Wed, 7:30pm | Jimmy Tarbuck OBE relives many of the most iconic moments of a life on stage and screen at the Assembly Hall | £33.75​

The Tiger Who Came To Tea | Fri to Sun | The Olivier Award nominated show comes to the Assembly Hall | £17.25​

Puppetry Festival | Mon to Sun | Hullabaloo, Macbeth, Avenue Q and the Muppets are still coming up this week at the Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival | Listings​

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show | Tues & Wed | Watch the show with 75 'lovable puppets' at the Trinity Theatre | £15​

Spa Valley Railway | Sat & Sun | Faulty Towers, Whisky, Fish & Chips and Cream Tea this weekend | Details​

The Fidelio Trio | Thurs, 7pm | Church of King Charles the Martyr hosts the BBC Radio 3 regulars this week | £20​

Dinner & Live Jazz at the Spa Hotel | Thurs, 7pm | Enjoy a welcome cocktail & canapes, followed by a 3-course dinner. Music from jazz singer Laura Lawton | £70​

An Evening with Clare Chambers | Fri, 7:30pm | Join the bestselling author of Small Pleasures as she talks about her latest novel, Shy Creatures at Cranbrook's Vestry Hall | £8​

Piano Recital - James Lisney | Sun, 3pm | CODA favourite James Lisney returns with an all Chopin programme | £15​

Giant Walker | Thurs, 7:30pm | The Newcastle heavy prog-rock band are coming to The Sussex Arms | £8​

The Dunwells | Sun, 6pm | Indie-folk pop band are celebrating their fourth studio album at the Forum | £18​

The Grey Lady Sessions | Sat, 7pm | Head to the Pantiles for the Grey Lady's nearly 20-year-old tradition | Details​

FURTHER OUT

Ben Elton Authentic Stupidity | 15th Oct | After his 2019 return to stand-up, Elton is back with more live comedy at the Assembly Hall | £36.75​

Jon Ronson's Psychopath Night | 19th Oct | Find out if you're a psychopath at the Assembly Hall | £29.25+​

Autumn Amble Guided Walking Tour | 20th Oct | Head to Penshurst Place for a guided tour of the estate in it 'Autumn splendour' | £40​

New Year's Eve at the Pantiles | 31st Dec | Head to the Pantiles for live music, DJs, fireworks, food and drinks | £15 (early bird)​

SPORT

⚽ FOOTBALL

6th Oct - Sutton Athletic 2 - 0 Tunbridge Wells

2nd Oct - Forest Hill Park 0 - 0 Tunbridge Wells

12th Oct - Tunbridge Wells vs. Erith & Belvedere

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THANK YOU

Hope you enjoyed this week's letter!

Jamie

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