Local News

Four Men Jailed After Violent Eastchurch Attack

Four Men Jailed After Violent Eastchurch Attack

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."

Phoenix House Home To Bus Shelter Project

Phoenix House Home To Bus Shelter Project

The doors of Phoenix House, on Central Avenue, re-opened this week as the new home for The Bus Shelter Kent Project.

The Bus Shelter Kent Project offers hot meals and food parcels to those in need and also helps to find accommadation for anyone who finds themselves homeless in the Sittingbourne area.

After coming out of lockdown the group were using the car park but have now received the keys to the building, previously occupied by Swale Community Centres.

Their Open Day (Thursday 26th August) saw nearly 50 meals being served, with help from Morrisons Sittingbourne.

The service will now be available at Phoenix House between 10:00am and 2:00pm Monday to Friday and all donations are greatfully received.

Firefighters Tackle A Large Haystack Blaze

Firefighters Tackle A Large Haystack Blaze

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.

Appeal After Woman On Mobility Scooter Harassed

Appeal After Woman On Mobility Scooter Harassed

Local officers are appealling for information following a report a woman, using a mobility scoote and being assisted by a service dog, was harassed by four young people in Sittingbourne on Monday (16th August) morning.

The four individuals, who are described as being males in their mid to late teens, are said to have verbally abused the woman in Bourne Place, off St Michael’s Road, between 8.40pm and 9pm on Monday. The suspects are all described as being white and were wearing black tops. Two of the individuals were wearing dark trousers, with another wearing black shorts and the final one wearing grey trousers. At least one of the individuals was travelling on an e-scooter.

Since the incident, officers have spoken to the victim and also gathered CCTV from a number of sources, with the footage continuing to be reviewed. As part of enquiries, investigators are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or captured the suspects on privately held video footage such as dash cameras or CCTV.

Anyone with any information that can assist is asked to call 01795 419119 quoting 46/150091/21, or, alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers free and anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form available via this link: https://crimestoppers-uk.org

Upchurch PCSOs Commended For Response

Upchurch PCSOs Commended For Response

The supervisor of two PCSOs who came to the rescue of a man who had suffered a medical incident in Upchurch has commended the officers for their quick thinking.

PCSOs Lee Fennell and John Cork were on patrol in Upchurch on the evening of Monday 2nd August when a member of the public flagged them down to report a man had fallen from his bike.

On arrival, they located the cyclist lying on the pavement and drifting in and out of consciousness. The pair established he was a diabetic and did not have any insulin on him.

Concerned he may be slipping into a diabetic coma, PCSO Fennell rushed to a nearby store and got a chocolate bar and orange juice while PCSO Cork stayed with him. As they were assisting the man a member of the public stopped at the scene and told the officers he was a doctor and began triage.

With the assistance of the sugary snacks, the man’s condition improved and attending medical crews confirmed the cyclists blood sugar was very low but the chocolate and orange juice had helped with his recovery.

Sergeant Ryan Chase told SFM News: "This is a good example of members of the community working with our officers to assist someone in need. I would like to commend PCSOs Fennell and Cork for their actions, as well as the member of the public who flagged them down and the doctor who stopped the moment he saw someone who needed help. Their actions potentially saved a life. Thankfully the man concerned was returned home by the ambulance crew and made a full recovery."

'Deliberate' Corn Field Fire In Rodmersham

'Deliberate' Corn Field Fire In Rodmersham

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to reports of a fire in corn fields off Highsted Road, in Rodmersham, earlier today (Saturday 14th August).

Two fire engines were sent to the scene at around 3:30pm and crews used hose reel jets to extinguish the flames, which destroyed an area of approximately 10m x 10m of corn. 
 
No casualties were reported. 
 
It’s believed the fire was started deliberately. 
 
The KFRS told SFM News: "Grass fires are more common in the summer months, when the ground is dry and can cause flames to spread more quickly. Incidents like this can have a devastating impact, injuring or killing wildlife, destroying property and livelihoods, and even putting people’s lives at risk. 
 
You can help to reduce the risk of a grass fire, by: 
 
- When lighting a bonfire, keep it to a manageable size, make sure it’s well clear of greenery and property, and always supervise it while it’s burning. Avoid having a bonfire in windy weather. 
 
- Dispose of smoking materials responsibly, making sure they’re fully stubbed out and cooled before being put in a bin - consider using a portable ashtray when on the go. 
 
- Place disposable barbecues on a sturdy, non-flammable surface when cooking, away from greenery and property, and only place in a bin once fully cool".

Police Appeal After Sheep Found 'Butchered' In Field

Police Appeal After Sheep Found 'Butchered' In Field

Rural crime investigators are appealing for information after two sheep were killed in a field in Newington.

The livestock were found dead in Church Lane on the night of Sunday 8th and Monday 9th August 2021.

Sergeant Darren Walshaw, from Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, told SFM News: "The two sheep concerned had been butchered by a person, or persons, with expertise in removing meat from a carcass and this this is naturally a distressing incident for the people who reared the animals. Fortunately, incidents of this nature are relatively rare however we do know that farm animals can be seen as a target for thieves. We are fully aware of the impact offending of this nature has on farmers and will always review all reasonable lines of enquiry. I’d also encourage members of the public, particularly people living in rural communities, to be wary of this type of offending and to contact us if they have any suspicions."

Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting 46/144168/21 or, alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers free and anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or using the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Two Arrests After 'Bin Men' High Street Brawl

Two Arrests After 'Bin Men' High Street Brawl

A disturbance in Chatham High Street has led to two men being arrested, one of which is from the Sittingbourne area.

Last Wednesday (4th August) investigating officers arrested a 30-year-old man from Sittingbourne on suspicion of affray. He was additionally arrested for two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

A second man, aged 28 and from the Gillingham area, was arrested on suspicion of affray on Thursday 5th August.

They were arrested in connection with an incident which was filmed by several people and posted online on Monday 5th July. It took place in Chatham High Street at around 5:00pm.

Following the report of the incident patrols attended the area but those responsible had already left the scene.

Officers have worked with partners to identify the individuals involved which lead to the arrests being carried out.

Both men have since been released, pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to officers can call 01634 792209, quoting reference 46/118487/21.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111, or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Mud Rescue Undertaken At Conyer Creek

Mud Rescue Undertaken At Conyer Creek

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to reports of two people stuck in mud on Conyer Wharf in Sittingbourne earlier this afternoon (Sunday 8th August).

Three fire engines and a Water Safety Unit were sent to the scene, and crews wearing dry suits used a throw line to access the casualties, before towing them to safety in a dinghy.

They were then passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance. Kent Police and the Coastguard was also in attendance.

Following the incident, crews are reminding people to be aware of tide times by rivers and the coast, and to be careful in muddy areas, since it can be easy to become stuck. You should also always bring a mobile phone out with you, so that you can call for help if you're in an emergency.

Witness Appeal Following 'Suspicious' House Fire

Witness Appeal Following 'Suspicious' House Fire

Local detectives are investigating a fire at a house in Sittingbourne and appealing for witnesses.

At about 10.40pm on Sunday 1st August, it is believed the front door of the property in Frederick Street had been set alight. No-one was in the house at the time, but the door, the porch and a large amount of belongings were destroyed.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the fire or who may have information that could assist with the investigation.

You can call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference 46/138098/21 or, alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers free and anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by filling in the online report form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information

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