Local News

The 15 metre deep sink hole, that has shut the M2 between junctions 5 (Sittingbourne) and 6 (Faversham/Ashford) for the last 24 hours, is still causing traffic chaos this afternoon.

The Highways Agency has advised that they are hoping to have one lane either side open for tomorrow but there are no guarantees as urgent safety investigations continue.

Drivers heading to and from Dover are still advised to use the M20 instead.

The hole, between junctions 5 and 6, measures approximately 5 metres by 2 metres and 15 metres deep. 

A clearly signed diversion is still in place via the A249, the M20, the A20, the A252, and the A251 - using the solid black circle route coast-bound and the solid black square route London-bound.

A teenage burglar has been jailed for two years after stealing a car and crashing it into someone's house in Sittingbourne.

18-year-old Jimmy Avery, of Woodbury Avenue in Murston, was sentenced on Friday 31st January, at Maidstone Crown Court, to 29 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, one of theft, taking a vehicle without authority and aggravated vehicle taking. He was also banned from driving for 12 months.

Avery was responsible for a number of break-ins into houses in Sittingbourne in which he stole car keys before taking the vehicle itself. He admitted breaking into a property in Allenby Walk on Tuesday 22nd October, gaining entry through a window and stealing the victim's handbag and car keys. He stole her Audi, joyriding it through Murston before abandoning it. A fingerprint left at the scene was later confirmed to belong to him.

On Tuesday 5th November, Avery broke into another property in Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne, stealing the car keys to a Vauxhall Astra. Again, he left a fingerprint behind. The stolen car was nominated for Automatic Number Plate Recognition, through which it was spotted in the early hours of 7 November near East Grinstead. A Kent Police patrol nearby pursued the vehicle when Avery refused to stop. Avery lost control of the car and crashed into a house.

In interview, Avery admitted all the offences, showing no remorse and agreeing he 'put his foot down' when he was pursued.

Investigating officer, DC Richard Allingham of Kent Police, told SFM News: "In my career to date, I've rarely come across a criminal who showed as little remorse for his actions or as little regard for his victims as Avery. He was completely unperturbed when I challenged him about his crimes. He offered little explanation aside from the fact he saw an open window here or noticed all the lights were off in a property there and thought he'd get away with it. Unfortunately for him, he didn't. I welcome the news he'll be behind bars for the next several months and can only hope it will give him an opportunity to think about the consequences of his selfish, shameful behaviour."

The case of two "missing" Councillors on Swale Borough Council, who moved to Spalding in Lincolnshire but refused to resign their seats, is to be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles.

Alan and Jean Willicombe left their Woodstock ward in the autumn but have refused to resign, claiming they can still effectively represent their residents from 150 miles away from their Ward.

Swale Borough Council's General Purposes Committee met on Monday (3rd February) and the issue was raised by Labour Leader, Mike Haywood, on the grounds that whilst there is a residential qualification to stand, there is no residential requirement to serve the term of office locally.

At the meeting Cllr Haywood said: "It can't be right to qualify for election by living locally but conceivably to move away the day after the election count.  This is not specifically about the Willicombes but about an anomaly which is wrong in principle".

The Panel agreed unanimously to refer this concern to the Secretary of State, the panel consisting of a Tory majority and being Chaired by Council Leader, Andrew Bowles.

The family of a man, who was killed in a road traffic collision in Queenborough on Sheppey, have described him as a 'proud father and family man'.

Harry Richard Higgins, of Hillside Road in Queenborough, died after he was involved in a road traffic collision in Main Road on Saturday (25th January) .

The 31-year-old was riding a purple Honda NES, at about 10.40am, when his bike was involved in a head on collision with a blue Honda CR-V travelling in the direction of Queenborough. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Harry's family have released the following tribute to the local media: 'Harry was a much loved father, son, uncle, nephew, brother and friend to many who will be sorely missed by all those that knew him. He died tragically doing something he loved - riding his motorbike - and his family are devastated at the news. He was a real family man and a proud father and it's hoped he will be remembered for the joy he gave to those closest to him. Harry's heart was always in the right place and he would do anything for anyone. Harry, you will be truly missed - behave yourself up there, all our love is sent to you and you will always be in our thoughts.'

The road was closed at 11.00am from the junction onto the A249 and was fully reopened again by 3.25pm.

Specialist investigators from Kent Police continue to appeal for witnesses to the collision. Anyone with any information, or who might have witnessed the collision, is asked to call the dedicated Serious Collision Investigation Unit Appeal Line on 01622 798538.