Local News

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was knocked off his bike by a car in Iwade earlier this month.

The incident happened at around 10.30pm on Friday 6th October 2017 on Basser Hill. The 17-year-old teenage boy was cycling up the hill when a 4x4 type vehicle is reported to have driven up the hill and clipped the cyclist's wheel resulting in him going over the bonnet of the vehicle and landing in a ditch.

The vehicle did not stop following the incident and the cyclist was left to make their way to a nearby house. The teenager then went to hospital to be treated for injuries to his left hand and leg and later required minor surgery. The victim's family attempted to retrieve the bicycle the following day however it was not at the scene.

Investigating officer, PC Ian Pickett, told SFM News: "the driver of the vehicle would have known that they hit a person, or at least a large object that evening and the vehicle is likely to have damage to the front and the bonnet. We do not know the colour of the vehicle only that it was a 4x4 type and that it was driving with its main beam on. I'd like to appeal to anyone who may know who was involved in this incident and I'd also like to appeal to the driver to encourage them to come forward."

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to call the Kent Police Appeals Line on 01795 419 119 - quoting reference: 08-950.

Alternatively they can contact Kent Crimestoppers, free (from any landline) and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two burglars, who were caught on CCTV breaking into The Friends Of Wisdom Hospice's Charity shop in Sittingbourne have been jailed.

Lee Heathfield, aged 33 and Shane Baker, aged 28, entered the property in July stealing electronics and cash. Both were identified and arrested. Baker, of no fixed address, was jailed for 27 months and serial burglar Heathfield was jailed for fraud, theft and three other counts of burglary in Sittingbourne. His crimes were committed in June, July and August.

CCTV footage showed Heathfield breaking into two properties and attempting to pay for items with a stolen bank card. When officers searched his home in East Street they found a stolen cash till, keys and a driving licence. He was jailed for 40 months.

Both men were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday (7th September).

Investigating Officer PC Chris Jones told SFM News: "both men are career criminals and prolific offenders with a clear lack of morals shown by their willingness to target a charity shop. CCTV footage and enquiries by local officers secured these sentences and now we have two more burglars off the streets and behind bars. I hope this prison term will be the wakeup call both men need".

Local charity, Litter Angels, has registered a team of six people, including our local MP Gordon Henderson, to tackle an assault course challenge.

The team also includes Litter Angels trustees, Jess McMahon and Samantha Williams along volunteers Katherine Windsor, Gemma Bolton and Jenni Cawdell.

The challenge will be taking place on Sunday 8th October at Betteshanger Country Park near Deal and consists of over 20 different obstacles including tunnels, balance beams, water jumps and a tyre wall.

The team is aiming to raise at least £450 for the local charity, which was set up in 2008 to create awareness of the effects of litter on the environment. Their workshops are targeted at primary school children in the Swale area.

Mr Henderson, Chairman of Litter Angels, told the SFM News Team: "taking on an assault course challenge is a great opportunity to raise money for Litter Angels and have fun as a team whilst doing it."

If anyone would like to sponsor Gordon and his team please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/litterangels.

Picture: Kent Police Swale

Kent Police have confirmed that they were called to "a report that people were believed to be in a lorry in London Road, Teynham" at 11.58am this morning (Thursday 17th August).

On attendance they discovered 10 suspected illegal immigrants in the back of a lorry at the Fowler Welch chilled fruit distribution depot.

The group has since been handed over to the UK Border Agency for processing by the Home Office.