Local News

A driver who hit two police cars while trying to evade officers has been jailed.

Bradley Pearce, 36, of no fixed address, was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday (15th October).

He was sentenced to one year and two months in jail after pleading guilty to two charges of criminal damage, one charge of dangerous driving and one charge of possession of a bladed object in a public place.

The judge heard how at 1.45am on Thursday 26th April officers received a call to say that a man wanted in connection with a domestic incident was in the Teynham area.

Officers attended and Pearce was seen driving in Lower Road, Minster and officers started to pursue him.

He then stopped his vehicle where he began shouting at a woman he knew.

Officers blocked in his white Ford transit, with one police car in front and behind, however Pearce drove his van towards the police car and hit it. He then reversed his van hitting the police car behind him before driving forward again and hitting the first vehicle for a second time.

Having damaged the vehicles so the officers were unable to pursue him, he then left the scene and a short time later was located in Bromley where he was arrested.

Inside his van officers found a knife which had been pushed into the seat allowing easy access. He was charged with the offences on Friday 27th April.

Investigating officer PC Adam Blakeman told SFM News: "Pearce's sentence reflects his determination to cause as much damage to the police cars as he could, not only putting his life in danger but those of my colleagues. I am pleased he has been sentenced and I hope that this outcome serves as a deterrent to others".

Officers investigating a report of a robbery in Sittingbourne are appealing for witnesses.

The incident was reported to have happened in a playing field in Rectory Road, Sittingbourne, between 11pm and 11.15pm last Friday (5th October).

The victim was walking home and took a short cut through down Rectory Park and through the park. As he walked through the park a group of people started shouting at him and walking towards him.

The group is then reported to have demanded the victim hand over his belongings and when he refused one of the group used an item to scratch the victims face before they ran away.
The victim returned home and the incident was reported to Kent Police.

Investigating officer PC Mike Wills told SFM News: "This incident was reported to have taken place in a poorly lit area, late at night. We know the group are believed to have been wearing dark coloured tracksuits with their hoods up and one of them is believed to be around 6ft tall. We would like to hear from anyone who saw a group in the area at the time as they may have information which can assist our enquiries".

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police appeals line on 01795 419 119 quoting crime reference XY/063705/18.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have made an arrest after a man was found dead in Rochester yesterday (Tuesday 18th September).

The deceased, who was 39 and from Sittingbourne, was found dead at the scene after Kent Police was called to the Rochester side of the High Street bridge at 7.23am.

A man in his 30s, who is from Rainham, was arrested in connection with the death at 11.25pm last night (18th September).

Enquiries to establish the cause of the death, which is being treated as suspicious, and the circumstances leading up to it, remain ongoing.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who believes they have information about the man's death, or anyone who heard or saw anything unusual in the High Street / Corporation Street area the previous night or during the early hours of Tuesday 18th September.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Kent Police on 01634 792 209 quoting ref: 18-0194.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Kent Police officers are appealing for witnesses after a taxi driver reported being robbed in Kemsley.

The incident happened at around 8.30pm on Saturday (15 September) evening on Flanders Close in Kemsley, after a man had called to book a taxi from the area.

The victim had knocked for the man when he appeared from nearby and told the taxi driver the call was for him. As both men got into the taxi the man pulled out a knife and used it to threaten the taxi driver. The victim quickly got out of the car and locked it with the man still inside. The suspect then kicked out the front passenger window before climbing through it and running off. The man then ran out of the close and towards Ypres Drive towards the direction of the train station.

The suspect has been described as a white man who was about 5ft 10ins tall and was wearing black baggy trousers, a dark long sleeved baggy top and a white scarf with blue stripes which was covering his head so only his eyes were visible.

Officers are connecting this incident to a previous incident in which another taxi driver was robbed last week. That incident was reported to have happened between 10.30pm and 10.40pm on Wednesday 12th on Meads Avenue, Sittingbourne, where a taxi driver was robbed of cash after a man had booked a taxi.

In this incident the suspect had been described as white, stocky build, around 5ft 10ins and wearing a grey jumper, dark grey jogging bottoms and wearing a black scarf which was covering most of his face. He was also wearing a pair of gloves and the hood to his jumper was pulled up.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police Appeals Line for Swale on 01795 419 119 quoting crime reference XY/58943//18.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.