Sittingbourne

A man has been found guilty of murdering former Sittingbourne school teacher Carl Davies on the Island Of Reunion.

Carl was 33-years-old when he was found dead on the south Indian Ocean island in November 2011.

Initial reports from the island suggested that he had fallen into a ravine but, a week later, it was revealed that he had in fact been murdered.

Since then his family have been trielessly campaigning to secure 'Justice For Carl' which also included a protest outside the UK Foreign Office in October 2013.

Several properties were struck by lightning earlier today (22nd June) during a major storm here in the Sittingbourne area.

Shortly after 11.40am two fire engines from Sittingbourne Fire Station responded to a detached garage fire in College Road, believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. A hose reel and short extension ladder were used and crews made the scene safe.

Firefighters were also called to reports of a shed being struck in Orchard Road. There crews used a hose reel, a short extension ladder and small tools to tackle the fire in the roof void of the shed.

Detectives investigating a reported street robbery in Sittingbourne have issued CCTV images of a man they believe can help with their enquiries.

At around 1.10am on Friday 26th May it was reported that a man was in East Street when another man in his 20s approached him and stated he had a knife.

The man stole the victim's wallet and mobile phone.

Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV footage or has any information that could help is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference XY/024003/17.

The Forum Shopping Centre, here in Sittingbourne, has announced the winner of their Father's Day Competition as Alan Larner.

The competition offered shoppers and online followers the chance to win a luxury dinner for two at The Holiday Inn Coniston Hotel plus a fantastic piece of jewellery courtesy of F Hinds, which is located within the shopping centre.

Members of the public entered the competition by sharing their most special and favourite things about their dad on The Forum's Facebook page.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service have been called to a large fire involving around 100sq metres of grass and undergrowth in the Gas Road area.

It is believed that three fire engines have been sent to the scene and firefighters are using hose reel jets to tackle the blaze.

There is a large plume of smoke in the area and residents are being advised to close all their windows and doors to prevent the smoke from entering their properties as a precaution.

A Sittingbourne burglar has been jailed for more than two years.

At around 10.30pm on 24th October 2016, a couple in their 70s discovered their home in Portland Avenue, Sittingbourne had been burgled.

Stolen items included a wallet with cash, and several pieces of antique jewellery.

An investigation by Kent Police revealed Christopher Swanson as the burglar and he was seen on CCTV climbing through a bedroom window of the property.

The Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS) announced that Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Paul Auston has agreed to become the new Honorary President of HRGS, taking over from Bill Croydon CBE, who has stepped down for family reasons.

Kent Police are appealing for information after a dog and her litter of puppies were reported stolen during a burglary last week.

It was reported that between 2.45pm and 3.30pm on last Thursday (4th May) a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and her four puppies were stolen from a house in Oak Road, Murston.
The puppies are reported to be about two weeks old, three are brown and one is black.

Members of an organised crime group, which ran a large conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, have been convicted at the Old Bailey.

The group were identified as producing industrial amounts of cannabis, which was estimated to have had a yearly yield of over £25 million, at numerous locations across Kent and Norfolk between 2013 and 2015. It is believed that this is the biggest conspiracy to cultivate cannabis which has been uncovered in the UK.

An 18-year-old man is to appear in court following an assault in Sittingbourne.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday 4th February on Sittingbourne High Street in which a 20-year-old man was reported to have been assaulted after leaving a nightclub.

Troy Reeve, of Whiting Crescent in Faversham was charged on Thursday 23rd March with one count of causing grievous bodily harm and one count of possession of an offensive weapon (a lock knife) in a public place.

He has been released on bail to appear at Maidstone Magistrates' Court on Friday 19th May.