Kickboxer gets blackbelt at 7
He calls himself the 'Ginger Ninja' and at just seven-years-old Ethan Owers is certainly one to watch after becoming a blackbelt.
Parents demand 'defects' inquiry
A group of mothers living on the same street whose children have been born with the same birth defect are calling for an investigation.
Wedding Pictures
Women from a Sikh day centre in Gravesend are sharing memories of marriage through painting.
Live updates
Sir Chris Hoy rides in to Gravesend
One of our greatest ever Olympians is in Kent today. Sir Chris Hoy will be taking to his bike at the county's new activity centre in Gravesend. He'll be showcasing the Cyclopark which has become a leading multi-sport centre in the south east.
TRAVEL - TRAINS: Southeastern - delays Gravesend to Charing Cross
Delays of up to 30 minutes on Southeastern between Gravesend and London Charing Cross due to signalling problem between Northfleet and Dartford. Trains can now run on London-bound lines but at a reduced speed. There is no estimate for normal service.
Advertisement
TRAVEL: Roads - Gravesend
The A2 London bound is blocked, with queueing traffic due to an accident at A227 Wrotham Road (Gravesend/Tollgate Services). There is congestion on A2 Watling Street to Henhurst Road (Henhurst / Cobham Services).
Man jailed for five years for masked raid
A 28-year-old man has been jailed for five years for assault with intent to rob a Tesco store in Gravesend.
Steven Snell, of Kings Hill, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of assault with intent to rob, and one count of theft.
The court heard how Snell, wearing a mask, entered the back of a Tesco Express in Valley Drive and dragged a shop assistant into the store room. There he ordered the worker to give him the code to the store’s safe, while threatening him with a knife.
Snell pushed the knife to the victim’s jaw, causing two scratches, before punching him several times in the head. When he couldn’t get the code, he made off with a case of lager.
Snell was arrested later that day, December 10, 2011, having been identified from the store’s CCTV footage.
He was sentenced to five years for each of the assaults with intent to rob and three months for the theft, all of which to be served concurrently.
After sentencing, Det Con Eleanor Hughes said: "Snell committed a violent offence where he threatened staff members with a knife, causing injury to one of them with that weapon.
"This is a good sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crime and shows that Kent Police and the criminal justice system will not tolerate violent and intimidating behaviour, and we will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice."
Kickboxer gets blackbelt at 7
by Rachel Hepworth
He calls himself the 'Ginger Ninja' and at just seven-years-old Ethan Owers is certainly one to watch after becoming a blackbelt.
Read the full storyPacking a punch, Ethan the blackbelt
Ethan started training when he was three years old and gained inspiration from his mother and father, Jason, 35, who are both coaches and competitors in martial arts.
Mrs Owers added: "Ethan will go on to the next stage now and work towards his second dan in blackbelt and maybe take part in light contact competitions.
"We have just left the choice down to him. We don't force him to do anything. He has a real passion for kick-boxing and trains four times a week.
Advertisement
Martial arts expert - aged 7
During a four-hour grading session, he completed a range of exercises including 100 press ups, star jumps, sit ups and squat thrusts at Dartford's Combat Camp UK gym.
His mother, Kelly, 27, said today:
– Kelly Owers, Ethan's mumWe are really chuffed with him. It was hard work, particularly as he's so young and so small, but he's thrilled at what he's achieved and he just hammered it.
Witness appeal after attack
Police have released a description of a man they wish to speak to in connection with an attack at a restaurant. The man is described as white, in his mid 20s, 5ft 10ins tall and of medium build with short brown hair.
The attack took place in The Copperfield restaurant in Gravesend. It is reported a 26-year-old man from Gravesend and his girlfriend were having a meal at the restaurant when he was approached by a man who asked him outside for a fight.
When the victim declined, it is alleged the suspect sprayed a liquid substance in his face that caused burning and problems with breathing, before stabbing him in the back with what has been described as a fork. The victim was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital and is currently in intensive care.
– Detective Inspector Ivan Beasley, Kent PoliceThis was not a random attack as we believe the victim and suspect are known to each other. We also believe the liquid substance used was a household substance used for cleaning."
Parents demand 'defects' inquiry
by Andrea Thomas
A group of mothers living on the same street whose children have been born with the same birth defect are calling for an investigation.
Read the full storyBanned chemicals found in birth defects street
A group of mothers have met with their MP and health officials to keep up pressure and find out what's caused birth defects in their children.
At least eight babies on one street were born with their bowel outside their abdomen. Their mothers are convinced a toxic substance is to blame.
Experts have failed to find the cause, but tests on a site near Waterdales in the Northfleet area of Gravesend have found high levels of a chemical banned by the EU in 2004.
Today's top stories
