Local News

Detectives from British Transport Police are appealing for information after a woman was sexually assaulted on an HS1 train to Ebbsfleet International.

The incident happened on 15th August last year and enquiries have been ongoing since the incident but officers are now releasing images of a man they would like to speak to, as he may have information which could help the investigation.

At approximately 9.30pm, a woman, aged 20, joined the Southeastern service at St Pancras, heading towards Dover Priory. A man, who was unknown to the victim, also joined the train at St Pancras and sat opposite the victim.

The man appeared to be intoxicated and started talking with the victim. He began making inappropriate comments to her and then moved to sit next the victim. He sexually assaulted her by attempting to kiss her whilst holding her hands.

The offender then left the train at Ebbsfleet International.

Detectives believe the man shown in the CCTV images may be able to help them investigate.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact BTP (British Transport Police) by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 628 of 15/08/2017. Alternatively they can ring Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Shoppers in Sittingbourne will have traffic-free access to the top of the High Street on both Fridays and Saturdays, from this week.

The closure opens the way for the regular Friday Market to move to the High Street from The Forum car park in preparation for the new cinema and restaurants being built as part of the Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration scheme.

Cllr Mike Cosgrove, Cabinet Member For Regeneration at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: "Moving the market onto the high street frees up the Forum car park ready for construction to begin for the leisure quarter as part of the regeneration scheme. The artisan and specialist markets have shown the benefits of bringing traders onto the high street, and the possibility of bringing new activities and performances to attract even more visitors and shoppers to Sittingbourne."

The closures will run from 7.00am to 5.00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and the local bus companies Arriva and Chalkwell have already changed their routes in preparation.

The first market will be held on Friday 12th January, and the artisan and specialist markets will return to the high street on the second and fourth Saturday's of the month from March.

A Teynham woman has been fined £100 and ordered to pay £235 costs after household waste was found dumped by a level crossing.

Shana Dale, aged 31, of Lower Road in Teynham, was prosecuted by Swale Borough Council following an investigation into a large quantity of waste found dumped near the level crossing on Lower Road, in December 2016.

The waste comprised 12 sacks full of household, construction and demolition waste, as well as a kitchen sink and cardboard boxes.

Officers investigating the incident were able to trace the waste back to Miss Dale, and made several attempts to speak to her about the incident. At no time did she cooperate with the investigation, leaving the council no option but to prosecute.

Dale pleaded guilty to failing in her duty of care to make sure household waste was disposed of by an authorised person at Medway Magistrates Court on Tuesday 19 December. Her solicitor told the court she had paid a man £50 to take her rubbish away, and that not all the rubbish was hers.

Magistrates fined her £100, and ordered her to pay £205 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Cllr Nicholas Hampshire, deputy cabinet member for safer families and communities at the council, told SFM News: "We take fly tipping incidents very seriously, and if you need to get rid of excess waste, it is your responsibility to make sure it is disposed of correctly, or you could end up in court. We want to catch those who are actually dumping the waste, because if they've done it once, it's likely they'll do it again. We are simply asking people to check who is taking their waste, make sure they're licenced, and keep invoices and receipts so you can help us trace them if waste is dumped."

To check whether someone is licenced to carry waste visit the Environment Agency website or you can call 03708 506506.

For more information about fly-tipping, and what Swale Borough Council is doing to tackle it, visit www.swale.gov.uk/fly-tipping.

Local MP Gordon Henderson has joined with Dover MP, Charlie Elphicke and several other Kent MPs, to send a letter to Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council (KCC), protesting at proposals to cut bus subsidies.

The letter called on KCC to shelve proposals to reduce bus subsidies by £4 million, cuts that could lead to the loss of some services and the reduction of others.

Mr Henderson said, "For some communities, the bus is the only lifeline to work, school, shops and services. I want KCC to think carefully before doing anything that would result in the loss of services."

In response to the MPs' letter, Mr Carter says he is taking charge personally of negotiations with bus operators to "...try to persuade them to keep a significant number of routes going. Without subsidy."

Mr Henderson added, "I recognise KCC has seen a reduction in the grants it gets from government and is struggling to balance its books. Perversely, while taking money away from councils, the government has capped the amount that can be raised from the council tax to pay for these vital local services.

"I have written to the Prime Minister's office asking that this be revisited and suggested that the cap on councils be scrapped. That would allow local authorities to raise the money they need, bringing real accountability to local government. If councils put up council tax bills by too much then the electorate will have the opportunity to sack councillors at the next election."