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More on KentOnline
A man accused of being part of a crime ring which allegedly stole lifesaving medical equipment before selling it on, is a former special constable who ran a string of private ambulance firms, it can be revealed.
Kevin Buck is one of 11 people charged by police last month with a raft of different offences over the theft of defibrillators and drugs from ambulances and buildings across Kent and beyond between 2016 and 2017.
Companies House lists Mr Buck, who now splits his time between Kent and Norwich in Norfolk, as having served as director of six Maidstone-based firms offering various medical assistance services in recent years.
These are Delta Automotive Services, Delta Medical Training, Southern Ambulance Sales, UK Ambulance Services, Delta Medical Services and Delta UK Express.
The 52-year-old also volunteered with Kent Police as a special constable for more than 20 years, and was hailed with an award by Maidsafe in 2014 for his efforts in working a 10-hour foot patrol shift with the town team every Saturday night.
Mr Buck appeared at Folkestone magistrates’ Court earlier this month, charged with receiving stolen goods and entering into a money laundering arrangement.
Prosecutor Leanne James told the court an organised crime group operated a patient transport business and first aid company and sold second hand medical equipment.
She added: “A number of individuals committed burglaries from ambulance stations and medical establishments, during the course of which, medical equipment and drugs were stolen.
“They were sold through the medical equipment company making the enterprise very huge profits.
“Other individuals have been involved in the laundering of money generated through that business.
“It’s an enterprise where, we say, all of the defendants are inextricably linked to each other.”
Appearing alongside Mr Buck, of no fixed address, were Ash McKee, a 50-year-old from Mayfair Grove, Telford, and 35-year-old Nicholas Hamill, of no fixed address, both accused of theft, conspiracy to burgle, robbery, handling stolen goods and laundering the proceeds of crime.
Mr McKee was described during the court hearing as a paramedic, though the Health and Care Professionals Council said the defendant was not registered in that role.
Also appearing at the same time was 43-year-old Mark Goldfinch, of no fixed address, charged with conspiracy to steal and burgle.
Mr Buck was pictured covering his face as he left the court building more than two hours after the end of his hearing.
Fellow defendants John Moys, 46 and Joseph Meizen, 28, both of no fixed address, plus Jade Ford, 29, of Gilchrist Avenue, Herne, and Derek Jackson, 52, and Vanessa Jackson, 37, both of Borstal Hill, Whitstable, also appeared in court later that day.
None of the group entered any pleas in relation to the charges.
They will all next appear at Canterbury Crown Court on November 11.
Ruby MacGregor, 29, of Drying Shed Lane, Canterbury, who is charged with handling stolen goods, is still to appear before magistrates while Terry O’Shea, 30, of Hollybush Way in Hertfordshire, charged with conspiracy to steal, is next due to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on October 24.
