Local News

Kent Police are reminding motorists to lock their cars and remove valuables after receiving several reports of theft from vehicles in Kemsley.

Between 5.30am and 6am on Tuesday (3rd January) Kent Police received reports of theft of property including clothing and tools from five cars in Beauvoir Drive.

Police would like to speak to a man who was reported to have been trying car door handles in the road at the time before running off. He is described as white, aged between 15 and 25 years old, 5ft 8in, of medium build and wearing a blue bomber jacket, and dark trousers.

Over the same night cars it was reported that items including a satellite navigation device were stolen from cars in Meteor Close, Pastime Close and Merleburgh Drive.

At present no arrests have been made however enquiries into these reports are on-going.

Inspector Gavin Wade, from Kent Police, told SFM News: "There are a number of steps which can be taken to help prevent items being stolen from motor vehicles. Please ensure vehicles are locked securely. Remote locking with a car key should be double-checked to ensure it has worked. Remove all valuables from vehicles, including tools, satellite navigation devices, mobile phones and any other items which may be attractive to thieves. Have valuables security marked so it makes them harder to sell on if they are stolen.'

Further details are available by following this link on the Kent police website: www.kent.police.uk/advice/theft/car-and-large-vehicle-theft/

Anyone with any information about thefts in their area can report them by calling Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference number XY/439/17 or, alternatively, they can contact Kent Crimestoppers, free and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A dangerous and unlicensed driver, who caused the deaths of two men in a New Year's Day collision on Friday 1st January this year (2016), has been jailed for seven years.

One other passenger in Ashley Howard's car suffered serious injuries when it crashed into the Jubilee Pump monument and overturned in a garden off London Road, Teynham, in the early hours of the first day of 2016.

Howard, 23, of Quarry View on the Isle of Wight, spent more than two months in hospital himself following the collision.

Upon his release he was questioned and later charged by Kent Police with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two counts of causing death while uninsured, and two of causing death while unlicensed.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court earlier today (Friday 16th December).

The court heard that Howard and a 27-year-old woman he knew were travelling together in a blue Renault Clio when Howard stopped and offered a lift to two other acquaintances.

Michael Shepherd, 27, and Karl Buchan, 23, both from Faversham, agreed and got into the back seat of the vehicle.

A short time later Howard lost control of the Clio, causing it to collide with a parked car before mounting the pavement and knocking down the Jubilee Pump. The vehicle then travelled into the front garden of a property before hitting a small wall and flipping over onto it's roof.

Mr Shepherd and Mr Buchan were both thrown from the car and pronounced dead at the scene following the arrival of the emergency services.

Among the injuries suffered by the female passenger were a ruptured bladder, punctured lung and fractures to her neck, pelvis and tailbone. She also suffered bruising to her brain and a deep cut to her head that required 28 staples and 21 stitches.

During the investigation into the incident a specialist forensics officer concluded that Howard would have been travelling at speeds of at least 60mph on a section of road with a 30mph limit.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Di Walker, told SFM News: "this was a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of two young men, which will lie heavily on Ashley Howard's conscience for the rest of his life. Not only is it highly likely he was driving well over the speed limit in the moments before the collision, he should not have been behind the wheel in the first place as he has never owned a full driving licence. A motor vehicle can be very dangerous in the wrong hands, and Howard proved he did not have the experience, skill or maturity to drive in a safe and responsible manner. My thoughts remain with the families of Mr Shepherd and Mr Buchan, as well as with Howard's other victim who still suffers from her injuries to this day, and everyone else affected by this dreadful incident. I hope today's outcome is of some small comfort to them."

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help find a missing teenager from the Rochester area.

Officers are concerned for the welfare of 18-year-old Ben Savage, after he disappeared following an evening out. He was last seen at 2.45am on Tuesday (6th December) in Railway Street, Chatham.

Ben is described as 5ft 10ins tall, with a medium build and short brown hair. He is believed to be wearing a black waist-length jacket with a zip on one arm, a grey t-shirt with a large white number on the front, dark blue skinny jeans and black trainers with white detail.

Anyone who may have seen Ben or knows where he might be is urged to call Kent Police immediately on 999.

Officers investigating a serious collision in Sittingbourne are appealing for witnesses.

The incident happened in Staplehurst Road at about 3.45pm on Friday (18th November) afternoon.

A four-year-old boy was taken to a London hospital after the car he was travelling in - a silver Citroen Xsara Picasso - was involved in a collision with a brick wall.

His condition is currently described as serious but stable.

Two other children in the car were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

A 32-year-old woman from Sittingbourne was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving while unfit through alcohol. She has since been released on bail pending further enquiries until Sunday 11th December.

Detective Sergeant Scott Lynch, of Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, told SFM News: "The incident happened on a busy a section of road at a time of day when people would have been coming home from school or work. Can I please ask that anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw the car in the moments leading up to it, to call us on 01622 798538 quoting reference MM/AH/221/16. Alternatively thay can email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk."