Local News

A distinctive tattoo on a burglar's hand has led to him being jailed for seven and a half years after he admitted threatening a woman with a knife in Sheerness.

Charlie Gannon, 21, of Valley Side, Chingford, was jailed on Friday (15th February) at Maidstone Crown Court after he admitted one count of aggravated burglary.

The judge heard how Gannon, along with three other men, targeted a house in Sheerness High Street at around 1.00pm on Sunday 7th October 2018.

The victim was in the living room of the house with her young child when the men knocked on the door. She opened the door and the group asked to speak to a man inside the house.

The victim then shut the door to check if the man was available, however when she returned to the front door Gannon stated they were there to rob them and shouted to the victim to go upstairs and hand over valuable items.

As he was saying this Gannon and another man forced their way into the house with the victim then hearing one of the men shouting about using a knife.

The woman shouted for the other men to help and at this point Gannon and the other man started backing up towards the front door. The woman managed to push both men out the front door and close the door. Gannon and the other man continued to push and kick at the door before they leave.

Following the incident officers then carried out an investigation identifying the people involved.

CCTV from the property revealed one of the men had a distinctive tattoo on his left hand. Officers then cross referenced this from a social media profile on Facebook and Gannon was identified. Forensic results also confirmed two fingerprints found on the front door belonged to Gannon. The other three people involved have not yet been identified.

Gannon was arrested on Monday 8th October 2018 and subsequently charged.

Investigating officer PC Mike Wills told SFM News: "This was a frightening incident in which four men attempted to enter a home where a child was present, in order to commit a robbery. Not only was force used to gain entry but the presence of a knife also increased the fear felt by the victim and I would like to commend her bravery in attempting to and ultimately pushing Gannon and the others out of the property. Gannon has received a lengthy sentence which reflects the level of violence used in this incident."

There have been long delays on the M2 motorway at Junction 5 (Sittingbourne) this afternoon, after a broken down van caught fire.

Traffic on the London-bound carriageway was held just after the Stockbury roundabout to allow emergency services to get to the scene and deal with the blaze.

The road was closed for around an hour causing long delays. No injuries have been reported.

Kent Fire And Rescue Service (KFRS) Firefighters dealt with a fire at a house in Peregrine Drive, Sittingbourne earlier today (Tuesday 15th January).

Fire crews were called at around 10.20am and had to wear breathing apparatus using two hose reel jets, a main jet and water from a local street hydrant to put the fire out.

The fire broke out in the roof space and affected the first floor of the two-storey terraced property.

There were no reported casualties and the cause of the fire is yet to be established.

An Eastchurch man has been convicted and was fined £500 on Monday 17th December at Medway Magistrates Court for illegally carrying waste, in a prosecution brought by Swale Borough Council.

Keith Hodgson, aged 56 and of Shannon Place, was pulled over as part of Operation Assist, in co-ordination with Kent Police on Wednesday 20th June 2018. He was carrying waste on his truck in Eurolink Way, Sittingbourne, but was found to have no waste carrier licence and no waste transfer notes. His vehicle was also impounded by police for having no insurance.

He was issued two Fixed Penalty Notices as a way to discharge his liability totalling £600 but failed to pay. He was also ordered to pay court costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £50.

Cllr David Simmons, Cabinet Member For Environment And Rural Affairs at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: "We have the power to issue on the spot fines to carriers who don't have the right waste transfer papers, and the police can and will seize vehicles if necessary. As well as taking action to catch those who fly-tip, we are urging people who need to get rid of waste to do their part. Anyone who takes away waste must have a licence. Simply ask to see it, and if they can't show one, find someone who does. If you don't, and the waste is found dumped, you could be prosecuted."

To check whether someone is licenced to carry waste visit the Environment Agency website or call 03708 506506. A new Fixed Penalty Notice for householders comes into force in January 2019. Anyone who fails to check that their waste carrier has a licence could be given a £400 Fixed Penalty Notice. For more information about fly-tipping, and details of what the council are doing to tackle it, visit www.swale.gov.uk/fly-tipping.