Local News

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious collision on Keycol Hill during yesterday (29th July) afternoon's rush hour.

A man riding a blue bicycle was involved in a collision with a white lorry on the A2 Key Street roundabout at the bottom of Keycol Hill at around 3.45pm.

The cyclist was flown by the Kent Air Ambulance to a London hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Officers from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit attended to carry out investigations at the scene and the road was closed until 7.45pm last night.

These officers now want to hear from any witnesses, or anyone with any information who has not already spoken to them, to contact them directly at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.

Two men, who robbed a pizza outlet in Chatham, have been jailed for a total of over seven years.

On Thursday 28th August 2014 two men entered the outlet on Chatham Hill in Chatham and left with a total of £180, having threatened staff with a knife and wooden bat.

Five days later the outlet was robbed again, with the offenders threatening to stab staff, but left empty-handed.

Following the offences, and a public appeal, various tip offs named 21-year-old Jacob Cloke and 23-year-old Joshua Dallison as the offenders. Fingerprints left at the scene were also linked back to Dallison, and both men were arrested.

On Wednesday 18th March Jacob Cloke (pictured on the left), of Hayle Road in Maidstone, pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced on Friday (10th July) for four years and four months. Dallison (pictured on the right), of Crown Quay Lane in Sittingbourne, stood trial and was convicted of robbing the outlet on 28th August and although charged with the second offence, no evidence was offered at court. Dallison was sentenced to three years and three months.

Detective Constable Gavin Humphrey, from Kent Police, told SFM News: "To be the victim of one robbery is distressing enough, just a few days later the outlet was victim again and the same members of staff were subjected to extremely threatening behaviour, aggravated by the possession of weapons. Having committed the offences, Cloke sought to cover his tracks by asking people to falsely claim they were with him elsewhere. Fortunately these people were not willing to commit a criminal offence on his behalf and we have been able to put them behind bars."

Sittingbourne has been gridlocked again this morning, following two accidents on the M2 motorway earlier.

The first accident happened just after 7:45am coastbound between Junctions 5 (Sittingbourne) and 6 (Faversham) and involved four vehicles, whilst the second, involving two cars, was on the same section of the motorway but on the Londonbound carriageway at 7:50am.

A Kent Police spokesperson has confirmed that there were no serious injuries involved but traffic remains very busy in and out of Sittingbourne.

Picture: Courtesy of Kent Fire & Rescue Service (KFRS)

Kent Police VHave confirmed to SFM News that they have arrested a person following a series of fires in Maidstone overnight.

A 22-year-old local man was taken into custody following fires that caused significant damage to town centre businesses and also to cars parked in residential roads.

Police were was called at 1.16am this morning (Monday 8th June) to reports that five cars had been set alight in the Buckland Road and Somerfield Road area of the town. Then at 2.11am it was reported that The Works bookstore in Week Street, Maidstone, was on fire and that it had spread to adjoining properties.

Following the arrest officers are continuing to appeal to members of the public for information. Chief Superintendent Steve Corbishley told SFM News: "We are continuing to work closely with investigators from Kent Fire and Rescue Service to determine the exact cause of these incidents. We are also reviewing CCTV throughout parts of the town as part of our enquiries. The fires were all started within an hour of each other and whilst we have a person in custody it is important that anyone with any information comes forward. If you have seen anyone acting suspiciously don't hesitate to get in touch. Arson endangers people's lives, whether it's the owners of the property or staff. These incidents have had a tremendous impact on both residents and to traders, who have had property destroyed or have been unable to open businesses because of the on-going efforts by fire crews to tackle the fire in Week Street. We are working with other partners such as the local council to make sure that any businesses affected get the support they need. In the meantime parts of the town centre will remain closed so we can ensure everyone's safety. We are grateful for everyone's patience whilst the investigation continues."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01732 379285, or alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 555 111.