Local News

A Sittingbourne driver has been jailed after a teenage girl who was a passenger in his car died following a collision near Ashford.

Fahren Smith was behind the wheel of a Suzuki Swift which had five passengers inside when it left Mundy Bois Road, Egerton and collided with a tree on the evening of Saturday 4th July 2020.

Millie Greenway, 17, suffered serious injuries in the collision and died in an ambulance on the way to hospital. The car's four other passengers all sustained serious injuries and continue to receive ongoing treatment.

Smith, of West Street, was arrested on the night of the collision and was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

The 20-year-old later admitted that charge, along with four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and causing death while unlicensed and uninsured and was jailed for six years and four months at Maidstone Crown Court today (Monday 13th September). He will be banned from driving for four years upon his release from prison.

Investigators from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit found that, on the night of the incident, Smith had been drinking alcohol with friends in a pub before driving to pick up three further friends. On his way back, his driving drew the attention of a passing police van, but he drove off at speed, evading the police vehicle in country roads near Maidstone. After drinking more alcohol at the pub, the six friends got back into the car. The group had no knowledge that Smith did not hold a driving licence or insurance for the car.

As the car exited the pub car park, Smith saw another police car and again drove off at speed. A witness saw the vehicle travelling at an excess speed before it left the road and crashed into the garden of a property. Police medics, paramedics and an air ambulance attended the scene to treat the injured and, following his discharge from hospital, Smith was arrested having failed a roadside breath test. He was later found to be over twice the legal drink drive limit.

Investigating officer PC Lee Berridge, of Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, told SFM News: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Millie Greenway, whose life was so tragically cut short by this collision, as well as the victims who continue to suffer both physically and psychologically. Smith's actions were reckless, having no regards for the rules of the road or the safety of his passengers. He twice tried to evade police on the night of the incident, with the second occasion while his car was dangerously overloaded. Driving laws are in place to protect motorists, passengers and the public and I urge young people, and all drivers, to behave responsibly when behind the wheel to avoid unnecessary loss of life like that in this case."

Swale Borough Councillors are set to be discussing the lack of options for secondary school places in Sittingbourne and Sheppey at the next round of area committee meetings.

At the Sittingbourne and Sheppey meetings, councillors will receive an introductory paper from Swale Council Leader, Roger Truelove, a statement from Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson, and a presentation from Marisa White, Area Education Officer at Kent County Council (KCC) outlining how the provision of secondary schools can be improved.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader at the council, said: “We know education is not a borough council service, but elected members are well aware of the distress caused to families because of the shortage of secondary school places in Swale. This year, many youngsters have been allocated spaces at schools that were not their first choice. As an authority wishing to see progress in our local economy, we want to see an expansion of skills to help young people access good jobs in Swale. The provision of vocational schooling is important to us, and although perspectives will be different in our different areas, we fully support the possibility of a new school in north west Sittingbourne. It is also important that young people have more choice on the Isle of Sheppey.

He went on to add: “Everybody is welcome at the area committee meetings, they are a forum for the public to have their say on local issues that are important to them. I encourage anybody who is affected by this issue to come and join us.”

Upcoming area committee meetings:

Tuesday 7th September

Kemsley Hall

Sittingbourne

7:00pm                                                            

Tuesday 14th September

Minster Working Men’s Club

Sheppey

7:00pm

An assault, which happened in front of terrified families at a caravan park in Eastchurch last summer, has led to four men being handed jail terms.

Jason Taylor Snr, Oliver Taylor, Carl Allam and Jason Taylor Jnr were all jailed for the violent incident which resulted in the victim being punched and knocked unconscious before the group fled.

The victim was attacked during the day at a caravan park in Warden Road on Wednesday 16th June 2020 by Jason Taylor Jnr, aged 26 and of Mountview in Borden.

The incident happened after an argument broke out outside one of the caravans. Following this the group attended the front counter at the caravan park where Taylor Jnr started to attack a man in his 60s while holding a machete.

During the disturbance Allam, 31, of Coldharbour Lane, Kemsley, used a large Katana bladed knife to scare off the victim’s family and members of the public by waving the knife at them.

Oliver Taylor, 25, of Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne, then used a baseball bat where he inflicted further head injuries to the victim.

The three Taylors (pictured) then surrounded the victim where he was punched in the face knocking him unconscious. They then fled the scene leaving the victim on the floor and continued to shout at other people in the park on their way out.

After the incident, the man was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and has since recovered.

Following an investigation all four men were arrested and later charged with one count each of violent disorder. They each admitted the charges and were jailed on Tuesday (31st August) at Maidstone Crown Court.

Jason Taylor Jnr was jailed for two years and seven months while his father, 50, of Mountview, Borden, was handed a two year and six-month sentence. Carl Allam and Oliver Taylor were both sentenced to two years and five months in jail. 

Detective Sergeant Shaun Vidgeon of Swale’s Criminal Investigation Department told SFM News: "This was a frightening incident which happened in broad daylight in front of many terrified people including children. The victim was subjected to a prolonged and vicious assault, which resulted in a complex and time-consuming investigation in order identify those responsible, and I’m pleased that a jail term has been imposed on all of those involved."

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were at the scene of a haystack fire on Quinton Road earlier today (Thursday 26th August).

They were called to the scene just after 11:00am and one fire engine was in attendance, with crews using drag rakes and a hose reel jet to prevent further fire spread.

No casualties were reported. 
 
Firefighters asked those living or working in the Quinton Road and Sonora Way areas to keep all windows and doors closed as a precaution due to the smoke but this was lifted at 2.20pm when the fire was finally extinguished.