Local News

The Liberal Democrat Party has selected it's parliamentary candidate for the Sittingbourne & Sheppey constituency for the next general election.

Frances Kneller, a 69-year-old managing director of a housing consultancy and property management company, has been chosen to stand for the party in a bid to become our local Member of Parliament. 

The Lib Dems’ group leader for Swale, and Abbey (Faversham) ward councillor, Hannah Perkin, told SFM News: "Frances is an ambitious and hard-working campaigner who was a key part of the Liberal Democrats’ historic win in Chesham and Amersham. Her background, in housing and advocacy, means she truly understands the difficulties the lack of affordable housing puts onto the shoulders of working families. So I’m looking forward to supporting her as she seeks to deliver the representation people in Sittingbourne and Sheppey deserve.”

It is understood that the Lib Dems have an open selection process where any approved candidate can apply for a seat and the local party decides who they want to represent them.

Detectives have issued a CCTV image as part of an ongoing investigation into a knife assault in Milton Regis.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the assault, which happened in North Street on Thursday 20th July. The incident took place at around 12.10pm, when two people were seen chasing a man in the direction of the High Street. It is alleged one of them tackled the victim to the floor and stabbed him in a leg with a large knife. The suspects then fled the scene.

Police attended and the victim required hospital treatment but has since been discharged. An investigation has since led to the arrests of two men, aged 19 and 22. They are both currently bailed, pending further enquiries, until Sunday 22nd October.

Officers are now appealing to anyone who may recognise the person in the image to contact them. If you have any information which may assist the investigation call Kent Police on 01795 419 119, quoting crime reference 46/139401/23. You can also call Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form on their website.

A prolific shoplifter, who repeatedly targeted supermarkets across Swale and stole items totalling around £1,000, has been jailed.

Mark Hewitt was responsible for a catalogue of offences since May 2023, stealing meat and alcohol from shops including Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and Marks and Spencer.

Hewitt, of Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne, was initially arrested by Kent Police on Sunday 7th May, as part of the force’s ongoing clampdown on shoplifting. He was charged and released on bail pending a court appearance but continued to steal. He was arrested again on 21 July and charged with further offences. While he was detained, Hewitt caused damage to police property by throwing food and urinating in his cell.

After appearing before court, the 48-year-old was subject to bail conditions prior to sentencing but his crimewave continued. On Saturday 5th August, an off-duty officer witnessed Hewitt committing another theft at a shop in East Street, Sittingbourne and it was later discovered he had taken items from the same store in an earlier incident that day.

Hewitt was arrested and whilst being taken into custody subjected two officers to a tirade of racial abuse. He was remanded to Medway Magistrates’ Court and sentenced on Monday 7th August, having pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft, two counts of racially aggravated harassment, and two counts of criminal damage. Hewitt was jailed for a year and fined almost £200.

Sergeant John Sangster, of the Swale Victim Based Crime Team, told SFM News: "Shoplifting has a detrimental impact on businesses and the local community and Kent Police takes all reports of such offences seriously. Hewitt repeatedly targeted stores in areas including Faversham, Sittingbourne and Queenborough and subjected our officers to abhorrent and unacceptable abuse. He is a career criminal who has shown no remorse for his actions. This sentence is just another example of our crackdown on shop thieves in the district, which has seen 73 charges authorised in June and July. We are continuing to focus on tackling anti-social behaviour, including shoplifting, as part of the force's ongoing Safer Summer initiative."

A new CCTV image has been released by detectives investigating two burglaries in Teynham.

On Monday 3rd July a man called at an address in Station Road and told the resident he was there to check the smoke alarms. He was allowed into the address and, after he left, the occupant found a quantity of cash was missing.

On the same day, a pensioner also living in Station Road, was visited by a man who said he had been sent to check the electrics at the premises. Once the man had left the victim found their purse had been stolen.

Detective Constable Emma Laimbeer, of the Kent Crime Squad, told SFM News: "We have been carrying out various enquiries and previously released a CCTV image of a man we wish to talk to. Following further enquiries we are now in a position to release a new image of the same man, who we are still keen to identify. We are urging anybody who recognises the person or has information which may assist our enquiries to contact our appeal line."

Anyone with any information is urged to call Kent Police on 01795 419 119, quoting crime reference 46/118895/23. Alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers, FREE and anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org