Kent MP leads Euro rebellion
Kent MP Mark Reckless led a rebellion of Conservative MPs in defeating the government in a vote on the European Union.
Royal Mail Centre opens in Kent
A huge new sorting office for Kent has opened in Rochester
Medway celebrates Sweeps Festival
One of the more bizarre May Day celebrations takes place in Kent today. The Sweeps Festival in Rochester is the largest in the country.
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Sweeps festival celebrates with song and dance
The annual Sweeps Festival takes place in Rochester this weekend. The event is in its 33rd year. It dates back to the nineteenth century tradition of sweeps celebrating their holiday with song and dance.
The pay was low, it was a dirty trade and there was little reward for the men who did the job and even less for children. The sweeps' holiday was traditionally held on the first of May each year.
Biker seriously injured in crash
A motorcyclist has been left with life threatening injuries after a crash in Rochester on Tuesday. His pillion passenger suffered serious leg injuries.
The motorcycle was travelling along City Way in the direction of Star Hill when it was involved in a collision with a silver Audi.
The 20-year-old rider and his 18-year-old passenger were both taken to hospital in London.
The car driver, a 65 year old man from Rochester, received minor injuries and did not go to hospital.
Witnesses are asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting reference 30-1862.
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Army tribute to dead soldier
The Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment has issued a statement following confirmation that missing soldier Josh Thomas has been found dead.
The 18-year-old's body was discovered in the River Medway on Monday. He had been reported missing after a night out in Rochester on April 9.
The regiment said it was devastated at the loss of a bright, young soldier.
"The thoughts of everyone at Chatham Station go out to his family and friends," the statement continued.
Soldier's death 'not suspicious'
The body was found in the River Medway at 12.44pm on Monday. Officers say they are not treating the death as suspicious and a report has been prepared for the coroner.
Josh Thomas, who was 18, was based at Brompton Barracks in Chatham had been reported missing on Wednesday 10 April after having been out with friends the night before.
Body in river confirmed as missing soldier
Police have confirmed that the body found in the River Medway yesterday is that of missing soldier Josh Thomas.
Prisoner sentenced for biting officers
A prisoner has been sentenced to six additional years in jail for biting several officers at prisons in Rochester, Sheppey, Durham and Worcester.
John Bernard Schock was found guilty of assault following an attack on two officers while in custody of HMP Elmley.
He was convicted of five counts of grievous bodily harm, one of actual bodily harm and one of common assault.
He will serve at least four years before he is eligible for parole.
During the incident at HMP Elmley, in June 2011, Schock bit one officer on the upper left arm and another on the wrist.
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Biker riders come forward after appeal
Kent Police have confirmed that two bike riders they were seeking in connection with missing soldier Josh Thomas have now come forward.
They have released CCTV of the two men who they believe may have been the last people to see the 18-year-old in Rochester before he disappeared.
Police seek lorry driver who may have seen missing Josh
– Detective Sergeant Rik Spicer, Kent PoliceCCTV footage also shows a white lorry with ‘Sunlight’ on the side driving on Corporation Street several minutes after Josh is seen there. Did the driver see Josh, did he see where he was walking? I’d like that driver to come forward and help us with our enquiries.
New CCTV clues in hunt for missing soldier
Kent Police have released new CCTV images of two bike riders they want to speak to in connection with the disappearance of soldier, Josh Thomas.
The 18-year-old, who was a soldier at Brompton Barracks, was last seen by a friend outside the City Wall pub in Rochester on Wednesday 10 April.
Detectives want to speak to two men seen riding mountain bikes along Corporation Street just minutes after Josh had been seen in the area.
Appeal to BMX riders in search for missing soldier
Detectives investigating the disappearance of a soldier from Brompton Barracks have issued a fresh appeal to two BMX riders seen on Corporation Street minutes after the teenager was last sighted on CCTV.
Police are growing increasingly concerned about the whereabouts of Josh, 18, who was last seen by a friend outside the City Wall pub in Rochester on Wednesday 10th April.
– Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Rik Spicer, Kent PoliceWe now are focusing our attention on known last CCTV sightings of Josh heading towards Gas House Road. We know that two males on BMX bikes were cycling past that area, along Corporation Street, just minutes after sight of Josh is lost. I am appealing to those two people who were in that area shortly after 1am to come forward and let us know if you saw Josh and where.
– Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Rik Spicer, Kent PoliceIt is important to point out that you are not in trouble, we just want to learn of Josh’s last movements and you may hold vital information on this. I would urge you to call us on 101, quoting reference 10-0243. Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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