Local News

Burglars Jailed For Wisdom Charity Shop Break In

Burglars Jailed For Wisdom Charity Shop Break In

Two burglars, who were caught on CCTV breaking into The Friends Of Wisdom Hospice's Charity shop in Sittingbourne have been jailed.

Lee Heathfield, aged 33 and Shane Baker, aged 28, entered the property in July stealing electronics and cash. Both were identified and arrested. Baker, of no fixed address, was jailed for 27 months and serial burglar Heathfield was jailed for fraud, theft and three other counts of burglary in Sittingbourne. His crimes were committed in June, July and August.

CCTV footage showed Heathfield breaking into two properties and attempting to pay for items with a stolen bank card. When officers searched his home in East Street they found a stolen cash till, keys and a driving licence. He was jailed for 40 months.

Both men were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday (7th September).

Investigating Officer PC Chris Jones told SFM News: "both men are career criminals and prolific offenders with a clear lack of morals shown by their willingness to target a charity shop. CCTV footage and enquiries by local officers secured these sentences and now we have two more burglars off the streets and behind bars. I hope this prison term will be the wakeup call both men need".

Man Appears In Court On Burglary Charges

Man Appears In Court On Burglary Charges

A 25-year-old man has appeared in court after being charged with burglary.

George Patching, of no fixed address, appeared before Medway Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (5th September) having been charged with three counts of burglary, one count of affray and one count of interfering with a motor vehicle.

The offences occurred in Sittingbourne, Faversham and Gillingham between Tuesday 4th July and Monday 4th September.

Following his appearance Mr Patching was recalled to prison for unrelated offences and is due to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 3rd October.

 

 

MP To Take On Assault Course Challenge

MP To Take On Assault Course Challenge

Local charity, Litter Angels, has registered a team of six people, including our local MP Gordon Henderson, to tackle an assault course challenge.

The team also includes Litter Angels trustees, Jess McMahon and Samantha Williams along volunteers Katherine Windsor, Gemma Bolton and Jenni Cawdell.

The challenge will be taking place on Sunday 8th October at Betteshanger Country Park near Deal and consists of over 20 different obstacles including tunnels, balance beams, water jumps and a tyre wall.

The team is aiming to raise at least £450 for the local charity, which was set up in 2008 to create awareness of the effects of litter on the environment. Their workshops are targeted at primary school children in the Swale area.

Mr Henderson, Chairman of Litter Angels, told the SFM News Team: "taking on an assault course challenge is a great opportunity to raise money for Litter Angels and have fun as a team whilst doing it."

If anyone would like to sponsor Gordon and his team please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/litterangels.

 

Newsagent Robbery - CCTV Appeal Issued

Newsagent Robbery - CCTV Appeal Issued

Kent Police officers, investigating a robbery at a newsagents, have released an image of a man who they would like to identify.

Kent Police were called at 9.42pm on Saturday (19th August) to a report of a robbery at a newsagents in St John's Avenue, Sittingbourne.

A man entered the shop where he is then reported to have threatened a staff member before stealing a quantity of cash and alcohol. No injuries were reported.

Officers are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and would ask anyone who believes they may know the suspect or has information about the incident to call Kent Police on 01795 419 119 quoting crime reference XY/042021/17.

Or alternatively they can contact Kent Crimestoppers, free (from any landline) and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

 

Suspected Illegal Immigrants Found In Teynham Lorry

Suspected Illegal Immigrants Found In Teynham Lorry

Picture: Kent Police Swale

Kent Police have confirmed that they were called to "a report that people were believed to be in a lorry in London Road, Teynham" at 11.58am this morning (Thursday 17th August).

On attendance they discovered 10 suspected illegal immigrants in the back of a lorry at the Fowler Welch chilled fruit distribution depot.

The group has since been handed over to the UK Border Agency for processing by the Home Office.

 

 

 

It's A-Level Results Day For Sttingbourne's Students!

It's A-Level Results Day For Sttingbourne's Students!

All over Sittingbourne students are finding out whether or not they have acquired the A-level grades they need to take the next steps in their life's journey.

Below is a look at how each school performed:

Borden Grammar School for Boys

116 students sat exams at Borden Grammar school and 64% achieved A*-C.

One pupil at the school who stood-out was Craig Clark who achieved the best results ever achieved by a single pupil.

Westlands/SCC/Swale Skills Centre

Over 170 students sat their exams at Westlands School, Sittingbourne Community College and Swale Skills Centre. Between those students the overall A* to E pass rate was 99%.

Josie Pengelly of Swale Sixth Form obtained triple distinctions in dance and an A in English Literature which means she is off to university.  

I didn't obtain the grades I needed, so what next?

Clearing

On today's 'In The Bourne' Demi Hamandishe spoke to Julie Newlan the Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire who advised that students should remain positive and call their chosen university's clearing hotline. In addition students should visit the UCAS website which has a lot of information and guidance on clearing.

Apprenticeships

Demi also spoke to Harry Gooding from 'Arch Apprentices' on today's show, who informed listeners that university degrees are failing to prepare students for work and is a costly exercise. Harry went on to recommend that students should consider apprenticeships not as a second choice but one where you can still get qualifications, some even at degree level, along with great work experience and pay.

Harry finished with a final word of advice which was to "not put too much weight on your results, your career is a long game and the first day of it is yet to come. These results are the end of education but not the end of your career".

 

 

Three-Vehicle Crash Closes The A249

Three-Vehicle Crash Closes The A249

The A249 was closed for several hours earlier this afternoon (Wednesday 16th August) due to an accident involving two cars and a van on the Northbound (Sittingbourne/Sheppey) carriageway.

The accident happened shortly after 1.00pm and all emergency services attended the scene including the Kent Fire And Rescue Service (KFRS) who used hydrualic cutting gear on an overturned vehcile.

*** UPDATE *** Long delays still remain in the area on the A249, A2 and M2 - tune in to 'SFM Drivetime' for the latest.

Rail Fare Price Rise Announced Today

Rail Fare Price Rise Announced Today

Sittingbourne's commuters are set to be faced with a 3.6% hike for their train season tickets from January 2018.

The annual increase for regulated fares throughout the UK is based on the Retail Price Index (RPI) figure for July every year - the RPI is a measure of inflation published monthly by the Office for National Statistics - and July's was announced at 9:30am this morning as being 3.6%.

Some season ticket prices here in Kent are already amongst the highest in the country, particularly on the High Speed 1 service in to London St Pancras International, where passengers pay a premium for their journeys due the shorter journey times in to the capital.

Chief Executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, Stephen Joseph, told SFM News: "This rise is set to be the highest since 2013 and will be leaving many commuters struggling to meet the cost of their commute next year. We want the Government to bring in a fares freeze from January - it's frozen fuel duty for the last seven years and we think rail fares should be given the same treatment".

We will keep an eye on this story and report back on "In The Bourne" over the next few weeks.

Appeal After Orpington Man Dies In M2 Crash

Appeal After Orpington Man Dies In M2 Crash

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious collision on the London-bound carriageway of the M2 between junctions six and five near Faversham late last night (Monday 14th August).

The collision happened at 11.05pm and involved a silver coloured BMW 530.

The driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old man from the Orpington area, was declared dead at the scene and a road closure was in place following the collision which was lifted at around 7am this morning (Tuesday 15th August).

Anyone who saw the collision and has not yet spoken to police, is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538 quoting reference: AH/AH/177/17.

Spate Of Thefts From Vehicles In Swale

Spate Of Thefts From Vehicles In Swale

Kent Police are investigating 11 reports of thefts from vehicles in Swale over the last few days.

Officers are investigating reports of theft after seven vehicles were reported to have been broken into overnight in various areas in Sittingbourne between Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th August and between Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August four more reports of theft were made with vehicles targeted in Sittingbourne, Iwade and Kemsley.

One report was received where between 8pm on Saturday (5th August) and 10am on Sunday (6th August) a car parked on a driveway in Park Avenue, Sittingbourne, was targeted. The vehicle is believed to have been left unlocked and a purse stolen from inside.

Another vehicle was also targeted between 12.40pm and 2.20pm on Sunday (6th August) in Raspberry Hill Lane, Iwade, where a window was smashed and a bag containing a small quantity of cash was reported stolen.

Kent Police Inspector Gavin Wade of the Swale Community Safety Unit told SFM News: "we have received a number of reports recently where both secure and insecure vehicles have been targeted. Please do not rely on remote door locking devices as they sometimes fail, I would encourage drivers to physically check their vehicles before walking away and always ensure anything of value is removed from the car or kept out of sight."

As well as locking and alarming vehicles Kent Police are advising that you shoud:

- Remove any valuable or sentimental items;
- Secure items in your boots or take them out of the vehicle if it is left unattended;
- Park in a secure car park or well-lit location whenever possible;
- Wipe away SatNav suction marks, as sometimes these can entice a thief to break in.

Anyone with information about these recent thefts in Swale can call Kent Police's appeal line on 01795 419119 quoting crime reference XY/039287/17.

Or alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers, free (from any landline) and anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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