Local News

Our local Member Of Parliament for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Gordon Henderson, has declared his backing for Boris Johnson to become the next Leader of the Conservative Party and the UK's Prime Minister. He has confirmed that this was the first choice for members of the Sittingbourne and Sheppey Conservative Association in a Facebook post earlier today (copied above).

A dispute over taxi money led to an offender threatening a man with a machete outside a Sittingbourne pub.

James Hilden, also known as Jimmy, produced the weapon after the victim refused to give him money for a lift home in October 2018. He later visited the victim's house and intentionally drove into five vehicles parked on their drive.

The 54-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to threatening a person with a bladed article, affray and criminal damage. He was found guilty of each offence and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by Maidstone Crown Court last Friday (24th May).

The court heard that on the evening of Friday 26th October Hilden entered a pub in Chalkwell Road and bragged about threatening a man with a machete earlier that evening.

He then approached a customer, who he said he knew through mutual acquaintances.

Later that evening Hilden asked the customer, a man in his 20s, for £20 to cover the cost of a taxi. The man refused to provide the money and, in response, Hilden led him to a nearby pick-up truck and began to reach into his pocket.

The victim, who remembered Hilden had been bragging about using a machete earlier that evening, ran away because he feared the weapon would be used against him.

A friend of the victim then intervened and was swung at several times by Hilden, who was by this point holding a machete. No injuries were sustained from the altercation.

Later that night Hilden drove to the victim's home and demanded to speak with one of their family members.

When they refused to come out, he pulled out his machete and slammed it on the bonnet of his own vehicle.

He then got into his vehicle and used it to drive into five parked cars before leaving the scene.

The incident was captured on privately held CCTV and Hilden was arrested the following evening. He was charged with possessing a bladed article, affray and criminal damage and his been remanded in custody since.

Detective Constable Dan Mead, the investigating officer for this case, told SFM News: "The nature of Hilden's offending, and his willingness to threaten people with a machete, shows he presents a very real threat to the public. There can be no tolerance for people who are willing to carry or use bladed weapons. Carrying a knife increases your chances of becoming a victim or, as this case shows, makes you more likely to commit a criminal offence and be imprisoned".

Sittingbourne based Ambition Motorsport had their team van containing team equipment, kids karts/engines and kids equipment stolen from Northwood Road in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday 16th May) morning at around 3.40am.

The van was loaded up and ready to go off to what should be a fun weekend for the team at the British Kart Championships in the Cotswolds for the 13 and Under drivers. One of the drivers, who had two karts stolen, is currently leading the British Championships. The equipment stolen won't be worth anything to the thieves who stole them, but to the children and Paul Janes (Team Principal - far left at the back of the picture) it's everything.

Things have been made worse by finding out that because of some issue on the paperwork the contents of near £30,000 will not be covered.

If you are able to help please check out their Just Giving Page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ambitionmotorsport

Following an appeal on 106.9 SFM earlier today one person has donated £5,000 and another unnamed person has donated £1,000 but the guys have got a long way to go.

Anyone who may have seen anything is asked to contact Kent Police on 101 (quoting ref: 16/0145) or they can call Kent Crimestoppers, free and anonimously, on 0800 555 111.

The Conservatives have lost control of Swale Borough Council after this year's Local Elections.

In a shock result from Boughton And Courtenay Council Leader Andrew Bowles lost his seat.

The full results (by party) were as follows:-

• Conservative - 16 seats
• Labour - 11 seats
• Swale Independents - 10 seats
• Liberal Democrats - 5 seats
• Independent - 2 seats
• Green Party - 2 seats
• UKIP - 1 seat