Local News

An assistant head teacher from Sittingbourne said he thought he "was going to die" after a substance, believed to be acid, was thrown in his face during an assault outside a Medway pub at the weekend.

Adam Tickner (pictured) is still recovering from the attack and says he feels "lucky to be alive".

Kent Police are investigating the assault with a corrosive substance, which happened in the garden area of The Ye Arrow pub on Boley Hill in Rochester at around 10.15pm on Saturday (13th September).

The victims, three men and a woman, were at the rear of the premises when two men they did not know approached them.

It is alleged two of the victims were punched and the group had a corrosive substance thrown at them.

Officers attended alongside emergency services and Mr Tickner was taken to a local hospital for treatment but was discharged earlier this week.

Mr Tickner told KentLive: “I was left in excruciating pain and suffered from burns to my lips and tongue". From his hospital bed, Adam, who was given morphine and paracetamol, added: “My tongue is less swollen now, and I still have a few blisters on my lips but the tingling sensation is constant. I am seeing progress daily, but the headache is constant throughout.”

Adam is now urging witnesses to come forward, and wanted to thank the emergency services for their work. He said: “I couldn’t thank them enough, as they ensured I had every chance. I just want to plea that anyone who knows anything tells the police as this could happen to anyone of your loved ones. I’m just a very lucky one.”

The other victims received treatment at the scene and Kent Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway including the examination of CCTV footage.

Officers are urging any witnesses who have not yet spoken to the police to contact them.

Residents and businesses with private CCTV and motorists with dashcam who were in the Boley Hill area at the time of the incident, are also asked to check for relevant footage.

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01634 792209 quoting reference 46/159665/25. Alternatively they can also contact Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111or use their online form.

Members of the Swale Borugh Council’s (SBC) Environmental Services and Climate Change Committee have agreed for their draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) to go out to consultation.  

SBC say "LCWIPs provide a comprehensive approach to improving the lives of residents by promoting active transport, through the creation of a network of well thought out and maintained cycling, wheeling and walking routes". 

The council’s draft plan aims to: 

• improve health and well-being – active travel reduces risk of health conditions 
• quality of life –creating greener more pleasant places to live 
• protect the environment – less cars improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions  
• support the development of green infrastructure  
• improve local economies – by boosting tourism and travel between town centres  

The plan will connect current routes and create new ones, install new crossings, cycle lanes, speed limit reductions and improve signage for wayfinding and street lighting.  

The consultation will help make sure the council implement and prioritise the routes which address local’s needs and concerns and that will provide the most benefit. 

Faversham currently has an active LCWIP, so this new plan will help create links between the existing routes making active travel accessible to everyone.  

Cllr Dolley Wooster, chair of the councils Environment Services and Climate Change Committee, told SFM News: “This LCWIP will help us improve the lives of our residents by laying out a detailed plan on how we will make it easier for everyone to choose active travel. Through this we will be able to increase the footfall in our towns - helping the economy, make it easier for people to get active - improving their health, and help the environment and air quality by getting cars off of our roads.  

Cllr Wooster went on to add: “It will also open up opportunities for us to support other group’s projects, like the Sheppey Greenway walking and cycling routes, that align with our plan’s goals. Please have a look at the proposed routes and our overarching plans for walking, wheeling and cycling within the borough and give us your thoughts. We will use your invaluable feedback and local knowledge to make sure these new routes meet your needs.”  

You can have your say on the council’s draft plan by visiting the dedicated LCWIP consultation page: Home - Swale Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

Paper copies of the draft plan and consultation are also available to view and respond to at the Sheppey Gateway, Swale House and the Faversham Town Council offices.

A 14-year-old girl from Sittingbourne has been praised for her bravery after calling 999 when her younger brother collapsed earlier this year, in June.

Ruby-Louise was at home with her brother Tyler when he rapidly started to become unwell. She quickly alerted her parents and helped Tyler to sit down, aiding his head as he collapsed.

Remaining calm under pressure, Ruby-Louise dialled 999 and spoke to Emergency Medical Advisor Clare Stewart, who triaged the call and classified it as a Category 1 emergency, the most serious level of response. Clare gave Ruby-Louise detailed but clear instructions to place Tyler in the recovery position, and to monitor his breathing.

Meanwhile, and also in the Emergency Operations Centre was Resource Dispatcher and Associate Ambulance Practitioner, Lucy Swatton, who coordinated a team of six to respond to the family home to provide Tyler with urgent care.

With epilepsy affecting approximately 112,000 children and young people within the UK, Community First Responders Lewis O’Callaghan and Craig Day were at the home within six minutes of the call, followed closely by Critical Care Paramedic Jim Walmsley, Paramedics Matthew Chambers and Daria Baranowska, and Associate Ambulance Practitioner Diana Parker.

Craig told SFM News “As soon as we saw the call come in, both Lewis and I self-allocated to the incident which was just roads away from where we were in Sittingbourne. As a volunteer in the community, it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to be able to reunite with those we’ve helped and we’re glad to see Tyler doing so well.”

Tyler was brought back to consciousness and assessed before being taken to Medway Maritime Hospital for a short stay where it was later confirmed that he has epilepsy.

To congratulate Ruby-Louise on her bravery, the family were invited to Medway’s Make Ready Centre in Gillingham where they were reunited with Clare, Lucy, Lewis, Craig, Matthew, Daria and Diana. Ruby-Louise was presented with a certificate in recognition of her bravery in calling 999, as well as given a tour of the facility, including the control room where her 999 call came into.

Ruby-Louise’s mum, Sophie told SFM News “I am so proud of Ruby-Louise for calling 999 and following clear instructions from call taker, Clare, and even more proud that she’s been recognised by the service for her bravery.”

A further suspect has been charged by detectives investigating the death of a man in Sittingbourne last weekend.

Kent Police were called shortly after 9.30pm last Saturday (2nd August) evening  to a report of a collision involving a car and a man on St Michael’s Road.

It was alleged that the pedestrian fell from a wall after being chased and collided with the vehicle near to the junction with Dover Street. Officers attended along with paramedics and a man in his 30s was confirmed to be deceased.

An investigation led to the arrest of two men from the local area on Monday (4th August) and on Wednesday (6th August). Jack Hunt, 33, of Platinum Way in Borden and Chris McClean, 43, of Pembury Court in  Sittingbourne were later charged with murder. Mr McClean was additionally charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine. After appearing before magistrates, they were remanded to a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on a date to be confirmed.

A third man was arrested on Thursday (7th August) in connection with the incident. Two days later, Daniel Martin, also of Pembury Court in Sittingbourne was charged with murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Mr Martin, 37, was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates' Court later today (Saturday 9th August).

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with relevant information should contact Kent Police on 01622 690 690 quoting 46/133971/25.

Alternatively they can contact Crime Stoppers, FREE and anonimously, on 0800 555 555 or by using their online service at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/pre-form