A former special constable who ran a string of private ambulance firms will go on trial next year accused of being part of a crime ring which allegedly stole lifesaving medical equipment before selling it on.

Kevin Buck is one of 11 people charged by police 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.

Appearing at Canterbury Crown Court this week, Mr Buck, of no fixed address, denied charges of receiving stolen goods and entering into a money laundering arrangement.

He was bailed to stand trial at the same court on December 7, 2020, alongside co-defendants Jade Ford, 29, of Gilchrist Avenue, Herne, and Derek Jackson, 52, and Vanessa Jackson, 37, both of Borstal Hill, Whitstable - all of whom pleaded not guilty to entering into a money laundering arrangement.

The trial is expected to last around two weeks.

Meanwhile, Ash McKee, 50, from Mayfair Grove, Telford, and 35-year-old Nicholas Hamill, of no fixed address, both denied theft, conspiracy to burgle, robbery, handling stolen goods and laundering the proceeds of crime.

Mr McKee was described during an earlier court hearing as a paramedic, though the Health and Care Professionals Council said the defendant was not registered in that role.

Also appearing was 43-year-old Mark Goldfinch, and Joseph Meizen, 28, both of no fixed address, who denied conspiracy to steal and burgle and conspiracy to steal, burgle and rob respectively.

All four were bailed to appear at a separate trial on October 5, 2020, which could last for up to eight weeks.

Ruby MacGregor, 29, of Drying Shed Lane, Canterbury, denied handling stolen goods and will also go on trial on a date yet to be set, while Terry O'Shea, 30, of Hollybush Way in Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and was bailed ahead of sentencing.

John Moys, 46, of no fixed address, will appear on November 19 to enter a plea to charges of theft, conspiracy to burgle, rob, handle stolen goods, launder the proceeds of crime and two counts of conspiracy to steal.

Prosecutor Leanne James told Folkestone Magistrates' Court in October that 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.”

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