Sittingbourne

A violent offender who dragged his ex-girlfriend into the street by her hair has been jailed.

Luke Chawla, aged 25 and of Murston Road in Sittingbourne, also punched his victim repeatedly after letting himself into her house in Iwade following the end of their relationship.

He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to five years and four months' imprisonment when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday (15th November). Chawla must also serve a further three years on licence under the terms of an extended sentence.

Witnesses are being sought after a family were robbed in Sittingbourne in what officers believe may have been a case of mistaken identity.

The couple and their baby are reported to have been targeted at around 8.30pm in Balas Drive on Wednesday (7th November) evening.

Three men are alleged to have followed the victims home from a shopping trip and when they arrived at their house and began unloading their vehicle three men are reported to have got out of a car and threatened them.

A 53-year-old man has been remanded in custody following reports a man was threatened with a machete in Sittingbourne.

The incident, which caused no injuries, is reported to have taken place in Chalkwell Road on the evening of Friday 26th October.

Later that same night a machete is then reported to have been used to damage a car before a pick-up truck was driven into a further five parked vehicles.

James Thomas Hilden, who is of no fixed address, was arrested the following evening after being identified as a suspect.

The newly realigned A2 St Michael's Road, on to Milton Road, has re-opened in the centre of Sittingbourne.

Spirit Of Sittingbourne, the regeneration consortium, told SFM News that this "should improve traffic flow throughout the town centre. The remaining works on Dover Street will continue but are due to be completed next week. We can now begin construction of the leisure quarter, which will bring a host of high-quality leisure facilities to Sittingbourne, as part of the wider regeneration of the town".

Marriane inspires team mates with defiant effort
Marriane Seaward showed the big C what she is made of when she sped round the Sittingbourne Parkrun on Saturday, 20 October.

In February Marriane was diagnosed with breast cancer and has since undergone chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and is currently having radiotherapy. Despite this she put on her running shoes to storm round the multi-terrain 5km in 32mins 56secs, much to the delight of her supporters.

Great South run for five Strider ladies

Local MP, Gordon Henderson is joining over 500 other MPs to plant four trees as part of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, a network of forest conservation initiatives to mark Her Majesty's lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

He is now looking for suggestions on where to plant the trees; two in Sittingbourne and two in Sheppey.

The trees, two silver birch and two rowan, donated in partnership with the Woodland Trust, Sainsbury's and ITV, will be planted during a tree planting ceremony between 22nd October and 9th November.

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.

A robber has been jailed for four years after admitting to stealing from a man in Sittingbourne.

Rolandas Viezauskis, 42, of no fixed address, was sentenced on Friday 5th October at Maidstone Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of robbery.

The judge heard how at around 10.00pm on Friday 27th July the victim was walking home from Sittingbourne Railway Station and had entered Dover Street where he saw three men standing together.

London Duathlon - Richmond Park, London

In Richmond Park on Sunday the 16th September three Sittingbourne Striders competed in the world's largest duathlon. The three entered the 15th annual London Duathlon, completing a 10 km run, a 44 km bike race and a final 5 km run to the finish line, while dodging suicidal squirrels and six foot stags!

1423 Ian Gower 02:50:59
1450 Steve Shrimplin 02:54:57
2308 Andy Settle 03:27:30Shorne 5

Shorne 5

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).