Local News

A brutal, pre-planned and unprovoked assault which saw a teenage girl stabbed 60 times in Sittingbourne has led to a judge imposing a discretionary life sentence on a teenage boy.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, assaulted the victim in July 2021 and left her with numerous life-threatening injuries. 

Following an investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, he admitted attempted murder and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court earlier today (Friday 4th March).

He will serve a national tariff of 10 years and, should he be released from prison, he will be the subject of a whole life licence.

The victim of the case, a teenage girl, was found seriously injured in a field off Highsted Road, near the junction with Swanstree Avenue, by a dog walker at around 7.30am on Tuesday 22 July 2021.

She is likely to have been laying seriously injured in the spot for at least seven hours.

Kent Police officers were immediately deployed to the scene and were joined by crews from South East Coast Ambulance Service and Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance, who airlifted the victim to a London hospital.

At hospital, she was found to have 60 stab wounds across her body. A total of 99 injuries were recorded by a pathologist who reviewed the case. 

Numerous people who knew the offender, and the victim, identified him as a possible suspect and officers detained him later that day.

A review of his phone led to detectives uncovering numerous deleted text messages which had been shared between the pair on the evening of the offence. Other messages saved on the phone showed he had a desire to stab the victim.

Immediately after the offence, he also carried out internet searches to try and learn how the police investigate murders.

A review of privately held CCTV, which was provided from numerous properties, captured the teenage boy walking to meet the victim late on 21 July. Most of the footage showed a silhouetted figure walking in the distance but, from it, officers were able to track his movements to and from the scene.

They were also able to establish that the pair met at around 11pm on Monday 21st July, with the girl last seen on camera at around 12.10am on Tuesday 22nd July.

With all the evidence in hand, Kent Police was granted authority to charge the offender the next day and he has been held on remand since.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber, the senior investigating officer for the case, told SFM News: "The brutality inflicted on the victim of this case was abhorrent and managing this investigation has been exceptionally harrowing. It is worrying that someone so young could have coldly calculated carrying out this sickening attack. Throughout the course of our enquiries, providing the victim with the best possible support was our absolute priority. She has demonstrated exceptional bravery throughout and her fighting spirit is shown by the physical recovery she has made. Despite being presented with a horrific case, the relentless professionalism of my officers meant we were able to unravel the crime, and detain the offender, within several hours".

He went on to add: "The officers who first responded to the call for help also reacted with exemplary professionalism, despite being presented with a dire set of circumstances. Their actions ultimately led to the victim surviving this horrific attack. I am pleased to see that this teenage boy has now been held to account. He presents a clear danger to the public and I sincerely hope that the support available to him in prison gets to the root cause of his dangerousness and prevents him from committing any further harm.’

The consultation on plans to try to unlock £20 million of funding for Sheerness has now closed.

Swale Borough Council say that they have received 324 responses from the public on plans that will become a bid to the government’s Levelling Up fund.

More than 75 per cent supporting the council’s plans to better connect the town centre by building a new indoor swimming pool, improving the leisure centre and health offer, expanding Sheppey College and creating new studio spaces at Master’s House.

Cllr Monique Bonney, cabinet member for economy at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: “We’re really pleased with the level of engagement we’ve seen from local people during the Levelling Up bid consultation, and we’ll now carefully review all the comments and suggestions. Of the people that responded, 85 per cent supported our proposals to better connect the sea with the high street and town centre, 78 per cent supported the expansion of Sheppey College, 74 per cent supported further investment in Master’s House, and 76 per cent would like to see new leisure facilities at Beachfields. We’ve had suggestions to include soft play inside the new leisure complex and build a tidal pool for open water swimming.

Cllr Bonney then went on to add: “We’ve also received requests to emphasise the area’s history, heritage and natural environment, focus on college courses that are relevant to area and on include arts and culture at Master’s House. If we’re successful, this bid for capital funding from Government could bring much needed investment to the Island. The fund is expected to open in the spring, and we want to be ready with a strong bid that has the backing of the local community.”

A suspect has been charged with multiple offences following an incident in which two people were assaulted at the railway station.

Kent Police officers arrested a man in Sittingbourne High Street on Tuesday (15th February) following a report that a person had spat at two people in the station between 7pm and 7.20pm.

As they attempted to arrest the man he is reported to have ran in the opposite direction from officers before he was apprehended. He was then alleged to have tried to headbutt one of the arresting officers.

During a search of the man 12 wraps of what was suspected to be heroin was found hidden in his clothing. Officers also found him to be in possession of two mobile phones and a quantity of cash.

Joe Tubb, 21, of no fixed address has been charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker, possession with intent to supply heroin and acquiring criminal property.

Mr Tubb appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday 17th February) where he was remanded in custody to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on a date to be determined.

A speeding motorist, who was using his mobile phone minutes before he caused the death of another driver, has been jailed.

Loui Curtis caused the fatal collision on the Londonbound carriageway of the M2, close to the junction 5 exit, on Monday 3rd August 2020.

The 27-year-old of Hawbeck Road, Gillingham, was driving his black BMW 320D when it collided with the rear of a blue Toyota Yaris at 12.50am. The victim, a 34-year-old man from Rochester, died at the scene.

Serious collision investigators from Kent Police attended the scene and Curtis was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Investigators analysed Curtis’ phone and it was found that he had composed and sent a message just prior to the collision taking place.

He was also found to have been driving at 108mph at the time of the collision. The speed limit was 70mph.

Following his arrest, Curtis was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

He admitted the charge yesterday (Thursday 10th February) and was sentenced to three years and two months in jail at Maidstone Crown Court.

Investigating officer PC Darren Chapman, of Kent Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, told SFM News: "Curtis’ dangerous, and reckless behaviour cost the life of an innocent motorist, who was heading home after work. He got behind the wheel that night and drove at a grossly excessive speed, whilst also composing a rather pointless message. The speed he was driving caused the victim’s car to be accelerated by 40mph in just one tenth of a second. Using a mobile phone at the wheel and speeding is inexcusable and puts other motorists and pedestrians at risk as evidenced in this case. His victim’s family have been left devastated and I hope this sentencing offers them some closure."