Local News

A man from Sittingbourne, who stalked a woman and threatened to throw acid in her face, has been jailed.

Duncan Friend harassed and intimidated his victim over several weeks and also made threats with a knife, to people she knew.

Friend became known to the woman in December 2022 and in the weeks that followed bought her gifts including a bag, shoes, and scarf. By the end of January 2023, the victim became concerned by constant messages she was receiving on her phone from Friend, which included demands she needed to return the gifts to him.

Friend was unaware of where the victim lived, and the messages and abuse escalated as he sought to find her address. He also called her repeatedly on several different numbers, many of which were withheld.

Some of the threats were made through people known to the victim. On Friday 3rd February, a 999 call was made to police that Friend had attended an address in Chatham, linked to a friend of the victim. He was seen to take out a weapon, described as resembling a machete, from his trousers and wave it around whilst demanding the victim’s address. He was also heard shouting threats he would throw acid in the victim’s face and kill her.

Friend was arrested the same day and later bailed with conditions as officers sought to build a successful case. He continued to send threatening messages to people including the victim, and on Sunday 19th March an investigation by the North Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team (VIT) led to him being arrested again.

Friend, 51, of Woodstock Road, was charged with stalking involving serious alarm or distress (between 3rd February and 19th March 2023), and a count of possessing a knife in a public place. He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Tuesday 12 September was sentenced to two years and three months’ imprisonment. Upon his release from custody, Friend will be subject to a seven-year restraining order.

Investigator for Kent Police's VIT, Holly Felstead, told SFM News: "Duncan Friend subjected his victim to relentless harassment and intimidation and his actions have impacted deeply on her daily life. Friend has caused a huge amount of distress, fear and anxiety not only to the victim but to her friends and family. We are grateful that the victim has shown tremendous courage in coming forward and helping us secure this important sentence. I would like to praise her bravery in reporting these crimes to us and urge anyone who is being abused or harassed by someone they know to tell the police as soon as possible. Your safety is our priority and we will take whatever steps are open to us to protect you and bring to justice those who might harm you."

Electric vehicle drivers will now be able to get a more reliable charge when visiting Sittingbourne, with Swale Borough Council (SBC) upgrading the EV charging points in the Bourne Place Multi-Storey Car Park. 

The previous chargers on the ground floor of the car park were unreliable and have now been replaced with two brand new Pod Point chargers.  

These offer a total of four charging outlets for electric vehicles to use, two 22KW fast chargers and two 7KW chargers.  

The new charge points will require payment for each KW hour used, the same as our other chargers, but EV drivers can park for free by simply scanning the QR code at the charging station and following the instructions.   

These improvements are part of what the the council says is "ongoing work to encourage the take up of the more environmentally friendly electric vehicles". 

Cllr Rich Lehmann, Chair of the Environment Committee at SBC told SFM News: "We are continually looking for ways to improve our electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Whether adding new charging stations around the borough or, as is the case here, improving the ones we already have. These new chargers are more reliable and will make it easier for people to charge their electric vehicles. There is also now a simple way to validate parking at the Bourne Place Multi-Storey Car Park when you are using the charging stations.  We want to promote the use of electric vehicles in Swale and are trying to make EV ownership as accessible and convenient as possible.”   

EV drivers can download the Pod Point app for more information on where to find the Pod Point chargers around Swale borough. 

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.