Local News

Two burglars have been sentenced at court after they stole vehicles parked outside owners’ homes in Swale and Medway.

Between Saturday 26th June and Sunday 11th July, Jim Smith (left photo) and Benjamin Lee targeted high value cars by stealing the ignition keys, having gained access to the victims' addresses.

On the 26th June, the pair stole an Audi A4 parked on a driveway in Coombe Drive, Sittingbourne. They replaced the number plates with a set stolen from a similar vehicle and then drove to Iwade where they attempted to commit another burglary.

They then travelled to Gillingham and broke into a house before stealing a Mercedes CLA parked outside.

Three days later, on 29th June, Smith and Lee stole another Mercedes CLA from the driveway of a house in Minster-on-Sea. On 5th July, they also attempted to break into a BMW owner’s home in the same town.

They stole a further Mercedes in Sittingbourne overnight on 11th July and the following day, Lee was seen driving it on false number plates by a Kent Police patrol.

The officers followed the vehicle onto Lower Rainham Road where it failed to stop when the patrol activated its blue lights.

Lee, of Flanagan Avenue, Queenborough continued towards the Medway towns at speed, driving in an extremely dangerous manner and causing other vehicles to take evasive action to avoid a collision. He was arrested in Chatham when the vehicle had to stop in a queue of traffic.

Investigators from the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad identified that Smith, of Church Road, Murston was Lee’s accomplice, and he was arrested on Tuesday 13th July.

Detectives proved the two were responsible for the multiple break-ins and theft offences, and they were both charged with conspiracy to commit burglaries.

Lee was also charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and failing to stop when required by a police officer.

The pair, both aged 20, pleaded guilty to the indictments at Maidstone Crown Court. On Tuesday (16th November), Lee was sentenced to three years and nine months. Smith was sentenced to two years and six months, and both will initially serve their detention in a young offender institution. Lee was also disqualified from driving for 40 months.

Detective Sergeant Richard Taylor told SFM News: "These criminals violated several homes to steal car keys whilst the owners were asleep on the premises. They showed no regard for the impact their actions would have on the victims and, when pursued, Lee had scant concern for the dangers he posed to other road users. Their detention in a young offender institution is entirely appropriate."

Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne has been awarded £3439 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund, which aims to tackle inequalities in activity levels as a result of the impact of COVID-19.

The funding award will allow Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne to grow on the success of their 'Walking Football' sessions with the launch of 'Walking Netball', both activities provide low impact exercise while at the same time tackling isolation through group activities.

Sport England’s work and contribution to Tackling Inequalities focuses on reducing the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity levels in under-represented groups, ensuring gaps between those who are active and those who are not do not widen during this period.

With a strong understanding of the needs and issues in their areas, Sport England has initially channelled £110,000 through Kent Sport to support community groups in their areas as a result of the impacts of COVID-19.

This funding and support will enable community groups working with target audiences – Lower Socio-Economic Groups, Black, Asian Minority Ethnic Communities, Disabled People and People with Long-Term Health Conditions (LTC) – to continue to exist and engage with their communities with a view to keeping them active during both the lockdown and early recovery stages.

Clare Burgess, Age UK Faversham & Sittingbourne's Chief Executive, told SFM News:  “I am delighted that after the success of Walking Football we have now been awarded funding to launch Walking Netball, the Covid pandemic has had a huge impact on loneliness and isolation across Swale and this will enable us to offer another way of engaging socially with the added benefit of encouraging low impact physical activity. I look forward to welcoming the first group of Walking Netballers very soon”.

You can find out more about the current 'Walking Football' sessions by clicking here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/favershamandsittingbourne/activities-and-events...

Two people have been arrested and a man remains in hospital after a report of a man 'with a machete' in Sittingbourne town centre.

Officers were called just after 8.00pm on Friday (5th November) to Station Street, Sittingbourne to what officers described as "an affray involving two men".

It's believed that one man suffered injuries to his head and face and was taken to hospital by SECAmb (South East Coast Ambulance Service).

One witness told police that he has seen "a man with a machete".

Kent Police have confirmed to SFM News that: "following the incident one of the men, aged 29, was said to have been seen in possession of a knife. Officers attended and arrested this suspect at 8.39pm. He was taken to a hospital with head and facial injuries and he remains in hospital."

It's also believed that a second man, aged 37, was involved in the affray and that he was arrested yesterday (Saturday 6th November) on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He was bailed last night pending further enquiries by officers.

Anyone who may have seen anything is asked to contact Kent Police on 101 or they can call Kent Crimestoppers, free and anonimously, on 0800 555 111.

Local residents in Sittingbourne and Iwade are being asked to check their doorbell and CCTV camera footage after a man was arrested in connection with thefts from cars.

CCTV is sought from people living in the areas of Meadow Rise and Kingfisher Close in Iwade and Newlands Avenue, Sittingbourne. Residents are being urged to check footage relating to the early hours of today (Sunday 31st October).

Sergeant Daniel Pronger, who is investigating the thefts, told SFM News:"I would like to appeal to residents in Iwade and Sittingbourne and ask them to check their doorbell and CCTV footage for suspicious activity in the early hours of Sunday 31 October. Unfortunately there have been a number of thefts from cars reported in the Sittingbourne area recently and I would ask people to be vigilant and do all they can to prevent being targeted by a thief. Whenever possible remove all items of value from your vehicle when leaving it unattended, taking particular care to empty your car overnight."

Earlier today (Sunday 31 October) at 5:10am officers arrested a man in his 30s in the Key Street area of Sittingbourne in connection with nine counts of theft from a vehicle. All but one of the incidents are reported to have happened in the Sittingbourne area.

If anyone can help police with this investigation, please contact Kent Police on 01795 419119, quoting reference number 46/XY/8792/21.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or by using the online form via this link: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-ano...