Local News

A Sittingbourne resident, who used social media apps in attempts to groom a child for sex offences, has been jailed.

Michael Smith repeatedly sent indecent images and videos of himself to another user who he believed was only 13 years old.

Smith, aged 54, accessed the apps to seek out and contact a child, between 10th March and 15th April last year. Despite receiving several replies, stating she was a child and at school, Smith made repeated attempts to entice her into sexual activity. His own online account displayed a false image of a teenage boy and it was used to instigate lengthy conversations of an explicit nature, urging the child to engage in sexual activity and to send him indecent images.

Unbeknown to Smith, the child did not exist – her profile was part of a fictitious account. He was arrested at his home in Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne on 15th April 2020. During police interviews, Smith admitted he was responsible for the online activity but claimed he didn’t know he was talking to a child and that his judgment was impaired because he had been using cocaine.

He was charged with attempting to sexually communicate with a child, two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and a further count of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. Smith pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced on Monday (10th January), to three years and six months’ imprisonment. He received an additional two weeks for a bail violation and was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Sergeant Shona Ross, of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, told SFM News: "Smith made persistent and repeated efforts to contact a child for the purposes of his own gratification. He has displayed a clear desire to sexually abuse a child and the graphic detail and demands he included in his messages were hugely concerning. This case also acts as a reminder to parents of children who have mobile phones and tablets to speak to them and help them understand the precautions they should take when using the internet, or the many instant messaging services that are available. Children should only communicate with people that they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools or the police."

Bowls players with mobility challenges will be able to continue playing thanks to a grant of more than £2,000 from Swale Borough Council.

Borden Short Mat Bowls Club applied for the funding to have a special bowling wheelchair made to provide players experiencing mobility challenges the opportunity to continuing playing.

Norman Smith, treasurer at Borden short mat bowls club, told SFM News: “We’re delighted with the funding. We’ve wanted a bowls wheelchair at the club for a while. The wheelchair will help our players who are having trouble bending. We have a couple players who are waiting for hip replacements so this will help them continue to play and stay active while they wait. The wheels on these specialist chairs are underneath making them narrower and easier to use while playing bowls. The wheels are also much wider than your average wheelchair. We’ve ordered our chair and it’s being made so we hope to have the chair early next year.”

Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: “We made a commitment to make leisure and sporting activities accessible to each age group and ability, so when Borden bowls club approached us, we were pleased to help. This specialist bowls wheelchair will help promote wellbeing and enjoyment for our residents who are facing mobility challenges and that’s exactly what this funding is for".

Cllr Mike Baldock, Deputy Leader at the council, added: “This funding is from our special projects fund, which gives us the opportunity to support local projects that are important to you. It’s been a tough few years and we’re pleased to be able to provide the equipment needed for people facing mobility challenges to keep active.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to reports of a fire at a bungalow in Swanton Street, in Bredgar, yesterday (Saturday 1st January) afternoon.

Seven fire engines attended, shortly after 3:30pm, along with a bulk water carrier and a height vehicle. 

Crews wore breathing apparatus while using hose reel jets and fog spikes to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have started in the roof space of the property. 

No injuries were reported, however two adults suffered symptoms of suspected shock. 

The cause of the fire is not yet known but is believed to be accidental. 

Kent County Council (KCC) have confirmed that they are planning to allocate £3 million to "temporarily" enlarge three secondary schools in Sittingbourne, to accomodate extra pupils, from next September (2022) and the following year.

KCC say they have identified the need for extra secondary places schools at Westlands, The Sittingbourne School and Fulston Manor because new housing developments are boosting the borough of Swale's population, saying there is a need for "swift action" as they forsee" a shortfall" of 176 spaces for Year 7 starters in September 2023.

In a Press Release the KCC also confirmed that: "There is a need to secure a permanent solution to the secondary place pressures from September 2024 onwards and options are being investigated."

It's believed that there will be an additional 30 Year 7 places at Westlands, another 30 at The Sittingbourne School and 15 at Fulston Manor.

The KCC also recognised that there is additional pressure on the Sittingbourne non-selective schools coming from the Isle Of Sheppey parents who opt to send their children off the Island instead of to the Oasis Academy in Minster-On-Sea.