Local News

A motorist from Sheerness, who fled from police in a stolen car at speeds exceeding 100 mph, has been jailed.

Harrison Bennett, of Marina Drive in Minster-on-Sea, hurled glass bottles from an Audi and drove on the wrong side of the road during a police pursuit last year. Officers were forced to abandon the pursuit due to safety fears but then located Bennett at a property nearby where he tried to get rid of evidence by flushing the car key down a toilet. The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, handling stolen goods and driving without a licence or insurance at Maidstone Crown Court.

At around 7pm on Friday 13th December 2019 patrols spotted Bennett driving an Audi with cloned number plates in Sheerness High Street. Attempts were made to stop the car but Bennett increased his speed, driving at over 100mph in a 40mph speed limit, throwing glass bottles from the car and driving towards oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road. Due to the poor driving and risk to the public, officers decided to stop pursuing the vehicle and instead carried out a search of the area. The car was found parked outside an address in Berridge Road. Bennett was discovered inside the property and the key to the Audi was found and recovered from a toilet within the house. He was arrested and charged the next day. Bennett was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and banned from driving for 30 months at Maidstone Crown Court earlier today (Thursday 5th March).

Officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Kara Sweetland from North Kent CID, told SFM News: "Bennett drove so dangerously that evening that it was lucky no one was injured. He behaved with complete disregard for the safety of himself, the passenger in his car, officers and other drivers. Even though we had to abort the pursuit, prompt action by our officers meant we were still able to track and locate Audi and bring Bennett to justice. Thankfully this result means he has now been taken off the roads of Swale and is unable to pose a threat to other drivers or members of the public."

Five charges have been made against a man who is suspected to have burgled five business premises across Folkestone, Sittingbourne and Rochester.

Tony Jackson was arrested by Kent Police officers on Tuesday (25th February) after he was identified as a suspect for offences committed at business parks between Friday 6th December 2019 and Friday 21st February 2020.

The combined total of damage caused, and cash stolen, is estimated to be in excess of £12,000.

The 58-year-old, of Redbridge Close in Chatham, has since been charged with burgling businesses in Bingham Road and Caesars Way, both in Folkestone, on 6th and 28th December respectively. He has also been charged with burgling two businesses in Bingham Road, Sittingbourne, on Saturday 15th February and targeting another business in Maidstone Road, Rochester, on Friday 21st February.

Jackson was remanded in custody to appear at Medway Magistrates' Court today (Wednesdayth 26 February) and at the hearing he was further remanded in custody again and will appear at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday 30th March.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a vehicle containing two people stranded in flood water on Raspberry Hill Lane in Iwade earlier today.

Two fire engines and a water safety unit were sent to the scene at approximately 13:30hrs and, when crews arrived, one occupant had climbed onto the roof of the vehicle. Firefighters in dry suits entered the water to rescue the two people and lead them to safety, before passing them into the care of South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) paramedics. The public are currently being advised to avoid the road due to flooding.

Following the incident, crews are reminding the public to take extra care during the current weather conditions and follow a few simple steps:

• Avoid driving or walking through flood water - it's often deeper than it looks
• Never ignore signs about road closures due to flooding
• Consider your safety at all times and don't take unnecessary risks on the roads

A Kent Police dog launched into action to detain a man who attempted to make off from officers.

Police Dog Lenny was on patrol with his handler at around 2.35am last Friday (24th January) when the pair spotted a suspicious vehicle on the A2 in Faversham. The officer signalled for the vehicle to stop but it made off before coming to a halt in Murston, Sittingbourne.

The occupants took off on foot but Police Dog Lenny brought one of them to a stop in Church Road. The police helicopter was scrambled leading to officers detaining two males hiding in a farm off of Blacketts Road, Sittingbourne.

• A 24 year old man was arrested on suspicion of theft, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.
• A 31 year old man was arrested on suspicion of going equipped for theft and possession of cannabis.
• A 15 year old boy was arrested on suspicion of theft and going equipped for theft.

The three have been released from police custody under investigation.