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Catch up with all your latest news from across the county with Chloe Brewster.
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00:35Hello and welcome to Kent tonight, live here on KMTV. I'm Chloe Brewster and here are
00:40your top stories on Monday the 23rd of March.
00:44Killed in the line of duty. Tributes for Tombridge police officer killed and another seriously
00:49injured at work.
00:51And I'm here outside Tombridge police station to give you all the latest live.
00:56And Botox, sweat and tears. Sitting born woman out to raise awareness for a condition that
01:02has left her without work for months.
01:04Showering multiple times a day is actually worse for you than it is good. You're drying
01:08out your skin, there's so many more complications to it. I've ended up with cracked skin all
01:12over me because of the amount I shower.
01:14And finally, sub-zero steps. Broadstairs man completes Arctic Ultramarathon to raise money
01:21for Kent SEND schools.
01:23I'd be lying if I was to say there wasn't a few tears throughout the challenge. It does
01:30get quite testing and you've just really got to push through.
01:45Flowers have been laid in tribute outside Tombridge police station after a police officer was killed
01:50at work on Saturday. PC Bradley Cork was responding to an emergency call in Swanleigh on the evening
01:55of the 19th March when his vehicle collided with another on the A-20 near Farningham.
02:00A Kent police spokesperson said his bravery, dedication and passion for helping others will not be forgotten.
02:06And Megan Shaw joins me live now from Tombridge. Megan, can you tell us a little bit more about what
02:11happened?
02:14Absolutely. So as you can see I'm outside Tombridge police station here where flowers have been laid out in tribute
02:19of the late PC Bradley Cork after he died in the line of duty on Saturday the 21st March.
02:26The many bouquets here are in tribute to the late 27 year old officer and are from friends, family and
02:32colleagues
02:32who expressed their grief and sadness to lose him so young.
02:36PC Cork as you said there Chloe was responding to an emergency call in Swanleigh at 7.45pm on Thursday
02:43the 19th March
02:45when his marked vehicle collided with the blue Volkswagen Scirocco on the A-20 near Farningham.
02:51He was with a colleague who still remains critically ill in hospital along with another member of the public.
02:57PC Cork as I said was just 27 and had served with the force since 2022 where he was based
03:03here in Tombridge.
03:05This station behind me would have been the one he frequented the most.
03:08Kent police are still appealing for anyone with dash cam footage of the collision to get in contact as the
03:14investigation continues.
03:17Thank you Megan. And what have people sort of said about his death?
03:24So there's been an outpouring of tributes across the county particularly in West Kent here where he served.
03:31And these flowers behind me they're just a snapshot of that as hundreds of tributes have flooded in through social
03:36media.
03:37Flowers have also been left at the side of the A-20 where the crash occurred
03:41but Kent police have since requested that tributes are just left outside this station
03:46both for public safety and to allow the officers to be able to look after them.
03:51A Kent police spokesperson said that Bradley selflessly gave up his life while trying to save the lives of others
03:56who were in danger.
03:57His bravery, dedication and passion for helping others will not be forgotten.
04:02Additionally, Neil Many, Chair of the Kent Police Federation said that this sad incident serves as a horrific example
04:09of the risks police officers face and how police officers can sadly make the ultimate sacrifice as they strive to
04:16keep the public safe.
04:18Additionally, Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent Matthew Scott issued a statement following PC Cork's death
04:23and he said, I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to Bradley's family, friends and colleagues.
04:30The MP where the incident took place, that's Laura Trott for Sevenoaks, Swanly and Dartford Villages said,
04:36this is incredibly sad news and my thoughts and prayers are with Bradley's family, friends and colleagues at Kent police
04:42who I know will all be devastated.
04:46Thanks, Megan. I know you've been there for a good few hours now. Can you just describe to me what
04:52you've seen there,
04:53a little bit about what the tributes have been saying?
04:57Absolutely. I'm sure you've seen images on the screen there of the sheer volume of flowers that have been laid
05:04out for Bradley.
05:05While I've been here setting up and preparing, I've seen police officers come out the station to kind of pay
05:12respect and condolences for Bradley.
05:14A lot of the tributes are quite emotional. You can tell they're from colleagues who'd worked with him a long
05:20time as well as friends and family
05:23and you really can see the kind of the devastation, I mean, among Tombridge to have lost PC Cork so
05:29young.
05:31Thank you so much.
05:34Now, a woman who stabbed her friend in Folkestone has avoided time in prison after receiving a suspended prison sentence.
05:41Roxanne Sweeney attacked Louis Barnes after Boxing Day celebrations in 2023 turned violent.
05:46Our reporter Finn McDermid joins me now to tell me more about the story.
05:51So Finn, tell me a little bit about the night of the stabbing.
05:54Absolutely. First of all, I'd like to start by just warning the audience this story does contain themes of a
05:59violent nature
06:00and maybe unsuitable for some of our younger viewers out there.
06:03And as you say, Sweeney stabbed Mr Barnes back in 2023 on New Year's Eve, causing significant injury.
06:11In fact, after the injury, Mr Barnes had to have his spleen removed in an emergency operation.
06:17According to the court, Sweeney had originally tried to convince the police that it was her friend's injuries were self
06:24-inflicted.
06:25Mr Barnes had been staying at Sweeney's Rendezvous Street flat.
06:28And after these celebrations, the mood was said to have turned sinister.
06:32We can see a picture now of the blade that was used.
06:36Apparently, there was a row between the two over the phone.
06:42And Mr Barnes had waited at Sweeney's home, intended to speak with her in person.
06:46She arrived reportedly angry and during a row held up the large red kitchen knife that you can see in
06:52the photo there that has a 7.5-inch blade.
06:56Gosh, so can you tell us a little bit more about how the court case actually unfolded?
07:01Absolutely.
07:02So Sweeney's official charge was wounding with intent and she offered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of unlawful
07:10wounding before trial in last October,
07:13which was originally rejected by the Crown Prosecution Service.
07:16She was later acquitted of the more serious charge and convicted of unlawful wounding.
07:22Now, this carries a maximum of five years in prison.
07:26They were told in court that jurors heard no explanation as to why she was turned on her friend.
07:35At that stage as well, Barnes hadn't been communicating with the authorities.
07:39But in an original police statement, he had explained the life-changing effects of the stabbing, which led to a
07:46compromised immunity system.
07:49For a bit more of that timeline, in December of last year, that sentencing of Sweeney's was adjourned pending psychiatric
07:56reports.
07:57On Friday, the court heard that that probation service recommended she receive a high-level community order with support from
08:04mental health teams, one of whom was present in court.
08:07A psychiatric evaluation that followed suggested she had been suffering from untreated, complex post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse.
08:17The mitigating prosecutor in the court said that she would benefit from an alcohol abstinence order working with probation and
08:26some of those mental health teams that I mentioned.
08:28In the end, she was given a 19-month sentence suspended for two years and a five-year restraining order
08:36as she has no previous convictions.
08:38She's also being made to complete 40 hours of rehabilitation sessions, 60 hours of unpaid work and alcohol abstinence monitoring.
08:49She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
08:54Amazing. Thank you so much, Finn.
08:57Now, a man who sexually assaulted a woman as she left a hot tub in North Fleet has avoided jail.
09:03Saabji Handal of Roven Road from Gravesend sexually touched a woman at the Signet Leisure Centre in North Fleet last
09:10April.
09:10During a trial at Medway Magistrates Court, the court heard Handal had stumbled into the jacuzzi, almost sitting on top
09:17of one of the two women already in the hot tub.
09:19Prosecutor Siju Misomoyo said he allegedly touched both women under the water before again touching one of the women inappropriately
09:28over her swimwear as she left the tub.
09:30Footage of the incident was shown to the court and Handal was later found guilty and handed a 26-week
09:35sentence, suspended for 24 months.
09:38And now, district and borough councils across Kent have shown support for Kent Online's Blue Badge Battle campaign.
09:44Kent Online's Blue Badge Battle was the support of all 18 Kent MPs, Medway Council and over 2,200 people
09:51who have signed the petition to urge Kent County Council to consider a new scheme.
09:55KCC leader Lyndon Kemkaren says that the authority will not introduce a new scheme, however, over concerns it could intensify
10:03pressure on parking spaces.
10:05In the past, the authority has suggested district and borough councils should act instead, saying concessionary local parking schemes are
10:12their responsibility.
10:16We spoke to a man who works a lot with Alzheimer's and people who experience that about the importance of
10:26securing power of attorney when you're in a situation where someone may be diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia or something
10:35like that.
10:36You can hear a little bit from him now.
10:40And it is in that first period that somehow the person that's caring for them needs to encourage them, convince
10:52them that they need to put legal power of attorney in place.
10:57If somebody's lost all cognitive ability, you can still put it in place, but you have to do it through
11:04the courts.
11:05And that is very costly because that includes lawyers and court costs.
11:10If you can convince your loved one or the person you're caring for to put it in place while they
11:16understand what it's for.
11:20And it's a difficult discussion to have because people think if I'm giving you legal power of attorney over my
11:28affairs, whether it be because there's two, health and welfare or finance, you're taking away all my rights.
11:35You're not.
11:36Really important to pay attention to that report there.
11:40Now it's a time for a break, but don't go anywhere.
11:42We have plenty of stories coming up, such as about the meningitis outbreak, a few more details about that.
11:48A story about a woman with an uncommon medical condition, hyperhidrosis.
11:52And we'll also look at the weather.
11:54Don't go anywhere.
11:55We will be right back after the break.
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15:23Hello and welcome back to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
15:27Now, a protest has been held in Margate ahead of an author's appearance in court
15:32due to unpaid Southern Water bills.
15:34Campaigner Julie Wasmer is due to appear at Canterbury County Court later this week
15:38after not paying her water bills for four years, allegedly, boycotting the service.
15:43Southern Water has faced significant action over environmental breaches in the past,
15:48like in 2021 when the firm pled guilty to 51 offences.
15:53They're said that they are delivering the biggest ever investment plan
15:56to improve the environment and provide a more reliable service across the region.
16:02A coroner has launched an investigation after a patient at Medway Maritime Hospital
16:06died after mistakenly being given water.
16:09The patient's water pollen was admitted to the hospital after a fall
16:13and because he was having difficulty swallowing, had not been allowed food or drink orally.
16:18But at his inquest, it came to light that Mr. Pollen, aged 67,
16:22was repeatedly left water within his reach, which he eventually drank.
16:26His condition deteriorated and Mr. Pollen was transferred to an intensive care unit
16:30where he later died.
16:32Jonathan Wade, the former interim chief executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust,
16:37has since apologised.
16:39A woman from Sitting Bourne is calling for greater awareness for her sweating condition
16:43that she says has ruined her 20s.
16:46Freya, who lives in Tanem, has hyperhidrosis,
16:48which means she perspires excessively and cannot work,
16:51leave the house or enjoy hot weather because of it.
16:54She's set to receive Botox treatment and says without it,
16:56her condition is debilitating.
16:58But the weight is excruciating.
17:01Megan Shaw went down to meet her.
17:02You might be counting down the days to shorter nights and warmer evenings.
17:07But for those with hyperhidrosis, summer is far from a time of anticipation.
17:13Now, it's a very mild day today in Tanem.
17:1614 degrees, clear skies and lots of sun.
17:19And this morning, I was really happy to leave my coat behind and just wear this white shirt.
17:24And I didn't really think too much about these choices that I made.
17:27But for Freya, whose condition is so debilitating,
17:31these are luxuries that are simply not an option.
17:35Look at all my lovely clothes that I'm going to be able to wear.
17:37Even, like, shirts.
17:39Like, you think this is dark green, I can wear this.
17:41You can't because it goes into your underarm.
17:43Freya's condition causes chronic and excessive sweating,
17:46which started as she was prescribed Searchlean
17:49for her borderline personality disorder in 2019.
17:53Now, after trying various creams and tablets
17:55to get her hyperhidrosis under control,
17:58she's waiting for a Botox clinic to be able to administer treatment
18:02that would temporarily block the nerves that stimulate sweat glands.
18:06But the battle is not yet over.
18:09I have a pile of old shirts that I keep under my armpits.
18:12If I'm just at home, which is usually all the time,
18:14I'll put an old shirt under my armpits
18:16so that it doesn't run down my arms.
18:18I can't go and get tattooed anymore
18:20because I don't want to sweat on my tattoo artist.
18:23It's a hygiene thing as well, you know.
18:25As much as I shower multiple times a day, it makes no difference.
18:28And showering multiple times a day is actually worse for you than it is good.
18:32You're drying out your skin.
18:33There's so many more complications to it.
18:35I've ended up with cracked skin all over me
18:37because of the amount I shower.
18:39And it doesn't change anything.
18:41Temperature.
18:41I cannot go out in summer.
18:44Winter, I can put loads of layers on
18:46and I can cover it up just fine.
18:47I'm still really uncomfortable and I'm really panicky about it,
18:50but I'm aware that people can't necessarily see it.
18:53In summer, what am I going to do?
18:54Freya's last job was working nights at ASDA
18:56and hasn't been able to work for a while
18:59due to the severity of her condition.
19:01Despite being cleared to receive funding
19:03for the £400 twice yearly treatment,
19:06her life remains on hold until she's able to access this.
19:11Megan Shaw of KMTV in Tenham.
19:14And now the weather.
19:22Tonight, Kent will see cloudy skies
19:23with temperatures ranging from 7 degrees to 9.
19:26And then into tomorrow morning,
19:28you'll be able to see clear sun with hints of overcast
19:30while a comfortable temperature of 11.
19:32And then looking into the afternoon,
19:35a temperature of 12 can be felt across the county,
19:38so we're missing the sun from last week.
19:40And then your outlook for the following days
19:42consists of 9 degrees on Wednesday
19:44following a sunshine with a mix of showers,
19:467 degrees on Thursday,
19:48and lastly 10 degrees on Friday.
19:58The UK HSA launched its vaccination programme last week
20:02for university students, staff,
20:03and close contacts of confirmed meningitis cases.
20:06Those who visited or worked at Club Chemistry in Canterbury
20:09between March 5th and March 15th,
20:11before the venue voluntarily closed,
20:14were also offered the vaccine.
20:16But yesterday, more than 8,000 people
20:18had received the vaccine,
20:19while over 12,100 had been given
20:21precautionary antibiotics.
20:23Our reporter Maisie Walker was in Canterbury today
20:25to receive the vaccine.
20:26She works in a University of Kent building in Medway
20:29and joins me now to share her experience.
20:31Now, Maisie, what was it like going today?
20:33Well, I mean, I do have severe health anxiety,
20:36so obviously going down there,
20:38you know, I had to take a train,
20:40then I had to take a bus,
20:42and just, you know,
20:43the moments building up to being on that campus
20:47was so, you know, for me, paralysing.
20:51So I just, you know,
20:52was just trying to keep calm, keep still,
20:56you know, stay mindful and things like that.
20:58But I did find that the closer that I got
21:00to the Canterbury campus,
21:01as you can see on the screen now,
21:03the more kind of dissociated I got.
21:05But as soon as I got there,
21:06I honestly, I was like,
21:08oh, I'm so silly,
21:10like I'm getting myself so worked up over nothing
21:11because there was nobody there.
21:13It was basically like a ghost town.
21:15There was nobody, you know,
21:16queuing up or anything like that.
21:17It was literally straight in, straight out.
21:20That's shocking, really,
21:21because we were seeing video from Friday
21:23and it was queues all the way across campus.
21:26What was it like going today?
21:28You know, you struggle with health anxiety.
21:30What's it been like, I mean, going today,
21:31but also just the rest of the time
21:33suffering of that?
21:35Yeah, so it is, I mean,
21:36this is the thing about anxiety.
21:38In general, it's just this kind of bundle
21:40of irrationality.
21:43And it's horrible to experience it,
21:45but especially when it is kind of
21:46targeted at your health,
21:47because the way it works
21:49is that it starts off as a tiny thought,
21:51you know, just the, you know,
21:52inner voices.
21:53And then you feel something in your body,
21:55such as like a twitch in your lungs
21:57or something like that,
21:57that then reinforces the belief
21:59that something might be wrong with you.
22:01And that's the horrible thing about it,
22:02because then you get in a tizzy about it.
22:04So kind of when I heard
22:06about this outbreak in Canterbury,
22:08you know, last week,
22:09it did kind of send me on a spiral a bit
22:11because I was so anxious about catching it
22:13and something potentially happening to me,
22:15even though the risk for me
22:17was relatively quite low.
22:19So it can be quite hard
22:21to kind of deal with something like that.
22:25Amazing.
22:25Thank you so much for joining me, Maisie.
22:29Now, in terms of numbers,
22:31there are 20 confirmed
22:32and nine probable cases
22:33of invasive meningococcal disease
22:35linked to Canterbury.
22:3719 of the 20 confirmed cases
22:39are meningitis group B
22:40and all cases have been hospitalised.
22:42The UK Health Security Agency
22:44is continuing to investigate the outbreak.
22:46And again, I'll remind you
22:48who can get vaccinated at the moment.
22:50So it's available to University of Kent
22:52and Canterbury Christchurch University students,
22:55close contacts,
22:55sick form students
22:56attending a college
22:57where there's been a confirmed
22:58or probable case
22:59or anyone who visited club chemistry.
23:01Between those dates,
23:02dates March 5th and 15th.
23:05Now, don't forget,
23:06you can keep up to date
23:07with all your latest stories
23:08across Kent
23:09by logging on to our website,
23:10kmtv.co.uk.
23:12There you'll find all of our reports,
23:14including this one,
23:15about a model railway in Ashford
23:16opening a new unit.
23:18We can hear from Henry Luck now.
23:20So I'm absolutely thrilled
23:22to declare it open.
23:24Yay!
23:26This ribbon-cutting ceremony
23:29has been years in the making.
23:32After battling COVID,
23:34rising cost,
23:36and location problems,
23:38Ashford Model Train Museum
23:40has opened a new unit
23:43showcasing railway wonders
23:46throughout history.
23:48This has been a dream
23:50of project lead
23:51Cliff Parsons,
23:54who's got the exhibit running
23:55whilst battling terminal kidney
23:58and lung cancer.
24:00I'm so pleased,
24:02so pleased,
24:04for everybody
24:05and the nation.
24:06You know,
24:06this is for the nation
24:07and the hobby
24:08and the manufacturers
24:10to keep the hobby alive
24:12and to try and get
24:14children off their mobile phones
24:16and do something useful
24:18with their hands
24:19for a change.
24:20It's been a pleasure
24:22helping Cliff realise
24:23his dream
24:24over these last six years
24:25since I got involved.
24:27Cliff's not been well
24:29and I know
24:30in the early time
24:31that I got involved
24:32in 2019 and 2020
24:33was perhaps not
24:34in a good way,
24:35but it's been really great
24:37to see how bringing
24:37the project to fruition,
24:39realising his dream,
24:40has really helped him
24:41battle with his cancer,
24:43get back on his feet
24:44and really get active
24:45again in the hobby.
24:46So, you know,
24:47doing this for Cliff
24:49has been,
24:49it's been really,
24:50really worthwhile
24:51and very fulfilling.
24:53The Mayor of Ashford
24:54was also in attendance
24:56to witness
24:58the grand opening.
25:00I think,
25:00as I said earlier,
25:01I think God's got
25:03Cliff's back
25:04because there's limitless
25:06room for expansion here.
25:08So,
25:09as this wonderful
25:10education centre grows,
25:12I think it's
25:14in the right place.
25:16So,
25:16good luck to them all.
25:18It's a marvellous project.
25:19It is an education centre.
25:21It's so much more
25:23than just a railway exhibition.
25:26The passion for model trains
25:28also goes beyond
25:30this celebration,
25:32proving the hobby
25:33is far from running
25:35out of steam.
25:36I'm sitting
25:37on the Spitfire line
25:39which can take visitors
25:41around the building
25:42and was put together
25:44by volunteers
25:45which really shows
25:47the passion
25:48for the train model
25:49building community.
25:52Henry Luck
25:53for Kane TV
25:54in Ashford.
25:58Now,
25:59from trains to diggers,
26:00knocking over skittles
26:01may seem like
26:02child's play for some
26:04but for one Kent teenager,
26:05highly skilled
26:06in driving diggers,
26:07it's set to be
26:08his biggest challenge yet.
26:11Finlay Gallagher
26:12is only 13 years old
26:14but he'll be taking
26:15on a digging challenge
26:16at Diggerland
26:16to see if he can
26:18knock down more skittles
26:19with a small version
26:20of the vehicle
26:20than a professional operator.
26:22He's spent school holidays
26:24working towards
26:24his construction
26:25plant competence scheme
26:27qualification
26:27and is the youngest
26:28qualified digger driver
26:30in the UK.
26:31And while it may
26:32sound simple,
26:33it's a task that requires
26:33impressive precision,
26:35control
26:35and a surgeon's
26:36steady hand.
26:39Now,
26:40it's time for another
26:41short break
26:42but we will come back
26:43with a recap
26:45of our headlines
26:45including Megan Shaw
26:47reporting from live
26:48outside Tombridge
26:49Police Station
26:50and we'll also hear
26:52about a change in laws
26:53for dog owners
26:54that aim to protect
26:55livestock here in Kent.
26:56Thank you so much.
26:57Join us after the break.
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30:35Hello and welcome to Kents and I, live here on KMTV.
30:39I'm Chloe Brewster and here are your top stories on Monday the 23rd of March.
30:44Killed in the line of duty.
30:46Tributes for Tombridge police officer killed and another seriously injured at work.
30:51And I'm here outside Tombridge police station to give you all the latest live.
30:56And Botox, sweat and tears.
30:59Sitting born woman out to raise awareness for a condition that has left her without work for months.
31:04Showering multiple times a day is actually worse for you than it is good.
31:08You're drying out your skin, there's so many more complications to it.
31:11I've ended up with cracked skin all over me because of the amount I shower.
31:14And finally, sub-zero steps.
31:17Broadstairs man completes Arctic Ultramarathon to raise money for Kent SEND schools.
31:22I'd be lying if I was to say that it wasn't a few tears throughout the challenge.
31:29It does get quite testing and you've just really got to push through.
31:45Flowers have been laid in tribute outside Tombridge police station after a police officer was killed at work on Saturday.
31:52PC Bradley Cork was responding to an emergency call in Swanley on the evening of the 19th of March
31:58when his vehicle collided with another on the A20 near Farningham.
32:02A Kent police spokesperson said his bravery, dedication and passion for helping others will not be forgotten.
32:08And Megan Shaw joins me live from Tombridge now.
32:12Now Megan, what else can you tell me about what happened here?
32:17Absolutely.
32:18So I'm outside Tombridge police station where flowers have been laid out in tribute of the late PC Bradley Cork
32:24after he died in the line of duty on Saturday the 21st of March.
32:28The many bouquets laid out in tribute here to the 27-year-old officer are from friends and family and
32:35colleagues
32:36who expressed grief and sadness to see him go so young.
32:40PC Cork was responding to an emergency call in Swanley at 7.45pm on Thursday the 19th of March
32:47when his marked police vehicle collided with a blue Volkswagen Scirocco on the A20 near Farningham.
32:54He was with a colleague who still remains critically ill in hospital along with another member of the public.
33:01PC Cork, as I said, was only 27 and had served in the forces since 2021
33:06where he was based here in Tombridge.
33:09That police station behind me would have been the one that he frequented the most often.
33:13Additionally, Kent police are still appealing for anyone with dashcam footage of the collision
33:18to get in contact as soon as possible as the investigation continues.
33:24Thank you, Megan. And what have people been saying from the policing community and wider?
33:32So, Chloe, there's been an outpouring of tributes across the county, particularly here in West Kent
33:38where, of course, he served.
33:39And the flowers behind me are just a snapshot of that
33:42as hundreds of tributes for the late young man have flooded in through social media.
33:47One of the latest has been from Nathan Cork who took to social media to pay tribute to his brother.
33:53He said,
34:06In response, the Premier League football club replied saying,
34:18Today, the Kent police held a two-minute silence in respect and memory of the late PC.
34:25And a spokesperson said that Bradley selflessly gave up his life
34:29for trying to save the lives of others who were in danger.
34:33His bravery, dedication and passion for helping others will not be forgotten.
34:38Meanwhile, the Police Remembrance Trust entered him into the UK police role of honour on behalf of the nation.
34:45It said our thoughts are with Bradley's loved ones, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
34:52Thank you so much, Megan, for bringing us that story.
34:56It's certainly a truly tragic one.
35:00Now, a man from Folkestone, whose mum remains jailed in Iran,
35:04has criticised the government for abandoning her in a war zone.
35:08Joe Bennett is pictured here on the Lears in Folkestone with his mum, Lindsay Foreman,
35:13and her partner, Greg Foreman.
35:15Craig has spoken from prison for the first time since being jailed for 10 years in Iran for alleged spying,
35:21saying he feels let down, alone and completely frustrated with how their situation is being handled.
35:27Bennett has said his mother is in pieces, calling their detention a slow-motion destruction.
35:34The RSPCA is reminding dog owners here in Kent and across the county
35:38of the importance of keeping their pets under control around farm animals with new laws on the way.
35:44These new laws give the police stronger powers to investigate suspected incidents
35:48and expand the scope of existing legislation.
35:52We spoke to the head of public affairs, David Bowles, all about the new laws
35:56and how pet owners can make sure they're following the rules.
35:59So can you tell me a little bit about what these legislation changes mean for dog owners?
36:05Yeah, so the legislative changes that came into effect last week means that any dog owners
36:11who are walking their dogs on farmland where there are sheep or alpacas,
36:17they have to be very careful that the dog don't get out of control
36:22and start to annoy or attack the farm animals that are in the field.
36:28And the RSPCA is today welcoming this legislation
36:32because it gives greater protection for farmers and for animals.
36:36But also we are saying to dog owners,
36:38be careful when you're walking your dog in these areas,
36:41make sure that the dog is fully trained if you're giving it off the leave
36:45and also take precautions to make sure that the dog does not worry any lives.
36:52So what kind of powers will the police now be able to use against dog owners?
36:57Yeah, so the police have increased powers as a result of this legislation.
37:02The most important is that they are able to seize any dog
37:06which is worrying sheep or any other farm animals.
37:10And that could mean that they will take that into possession immediately.
37:15And that obviously, if you are a dog owner,
37:19that could mean that they will seize your dog
37:22if your dog has escaped from your back garden
37:24or indeed if you're walking your dog but the dog is not under control.
37:28So they have additional powers now to seize animals.
37:31Is this more necessary at the moment because of the season,
37:35there are more animals being born?
37:36What animals could be at risk if someone lets their dog off a leash?
37:41So the main animals that are traditionally worried and killed by dogs
37:47are obviously sheep.
37:49And we are now into the main lambing season.
37:52So the legislation coming into effect last week is very timely
37:56because it should give farmers more protection to protect their lambs.
38:01And we know that thousands of sheep and lambs are killed by out-of-control dogs every year.
38:07Obviously, that is not just an animal welfare problem.
38:10That's also a problem for farmers' sustainability and commercial viability.
38:16Do you think the general public grasp, you know,
38:18the severity of this issue when it comes to how the livestock are affected
38:22and how important it is to keep your dog on a leash when livestock is around?
38:27So I think that most dog owners are responsible.
38:30But when they go out into the countryside and they think,
38:35well, now I can take my dog off a lead, it can have the freedom to do what it wants,
38:39if that dog is not behaviourally well trained,
38:43then, of course, it won't respond to commands to come back
38:47if it starts to chase people or indeed any other animal.
38:52Kent has a lot of large brook, including alpaca, llamas, sheep, cattle,
39:00and all of those are protected by this new legislation.
39:03So it's really about making sure that dog owners,
39:06when they go out, particularly into the countryside,
39:08and enjoy this new great hot weather that we're having at the moment,
39:11that they think about other people and other animals in the areas that they are,
39:18particularly if they're going to take the dog off the lead.
39:22And that's what we would strongly urge dog owners to do, to act responsibly.
39:26Thank you so much.
39:28That was David Bowles there from the RSPCA.
39:32Next, a skater from Ashford has come out to criticise a local skate park,
39:37saying the rough surface of the park is giving children nasty injuries.
39:40Coaches have said children as young as five are suffering nasty skin injuries
39:45caused by the rough ground at Stower Centre Skate Park in Ashford.
39:49The skate park is maintained by Ashford Borough Council,
39:52which say they're aware of the current concerns
39:54and that inspections found the area safe for residents to use.
39:58But local skater Shusanta Ray disagrees.
40:01He's been a familiar face at the venue for more than 10 years,
40:04but says some are now vowing to never return due to its condition.
40:07He showed our reporter some of the issues there at the skate park.
40:12I'm just going to go down this ramp to show you guys how hazardous the surface is.
40:16So as you can see, my sleeves are completely fine.
40:22I'm going to go down and then try to fall on my hands to demonstrate you guys.
40:31I need a new jumper.
40:34First of all, it's the ground.
40:36It's very sharp.
40:37It's serrated.
40:39Every time we fall, the plucks are very deep.
40:42It's also having an effect on our performances
40:45when we're skating or these kids are scootering.
40:49And it also can kind of lower your confidence when you're skating here
40:58because you're worrying about the dangers of cutting yourself
41:00when it shouldn't be like that.
41:02It should be nice and smooth surface.
41:04I would like to have more communication with the council
41:09and just sit in a meeting and just discuss things
41:13and how we can go about improving this park bit by bit.
41:18I'm not saying do it all at once.
41:20We can work on the park, you know, start from the back
41:24and then slowly work our way up.
41:26Yeah.
41:28Coming up after the break,
41:29we'll be taking a look at all your sports news from across the county,
41:33like Gilliam's poor form.
41:34Sorry, I didn't write that.
41:35Don't take me at my word there.
41:36We'll also be looking at rugby, boxing and even some mini golf news.
41:41We'll also have the weather from around the county.
41:44We'll also be checking in with Rob Wilkinson,
41:46a man from Broadstairs who has travelled 500 kilometres across the Arctic
41:50to raise money for Kent courses.
41:52He was training on Kent beaches there too.
41:54Thank you so much.
41:55Join us after this very, very short break.
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45:24Hello and welcome back to Kent Tonight, live here on KMTV.
45:28Now an actor known for solving crime and wielding weapons in his TV shows
45:32is now taking a stand against a complex issue in his local town in Ashford.
45:40Tom Burke has campaigned against the demolition of Park Mall and the Elwick Place revamp.
45:44The 44-year-old from Tenterton is best known for playing a troubled private detective
45:49haunted by his past in hit crime series Strike.
45:52You can see an image from that there now.
45:54He told Kent Online,
45:56Most actors are invited to have an opinion on national and international politics at some stage,
46:00whereas I wanted to engage in something locally.
46:03We spoke to him over the weekend a little bit about that shopping centre
46:06and what he believes is important there.
46:10It seems to be a further systemisation of isolating the high street
46:14and of isolating the town centre, which really began with the design around there,
46:19which is really quite a remove from the town centre.
46:26Both places, interestingly, are self-contained.
46:31This Elwick Place leisure complex has been sold on its day, all-day experience
46:39as its chief characteristic and positive.
46:43Again, these are reasons for people not to see the high street,
46:46not to see the real Ashford.
46:48And I hope there's a certain amount we can do without the council's help,
46:52but of course it would be great to have them on our side.
46:55I think it's quite a complex issue and I don't know if they realise how complex it is.
47:01And now for all your sports news with Finn McDermott.
47:13Well, starting us off,
47:14and Gillingham's own Bradley Dack is still backing his manager,
47:17Gareth Ainsworth, after losing 2-1 to Bristol Rovers.
47:20After the game, Dack said the manager has always said it's a two-year plan.
47:24I know he would have liked to have been more successful this season.
47:27But the midfielder was left questioning his teammates' character,
47:30passion and desire after the home performance.
47:33And I think we have to start questioning each other in the football team.
47:36On other news, they'll be visiting Broadfield Stadium away.
47:39They'll be chasing a win against Crawley Town on this Saturday.
47:42We can hear a little bit more from Dack now.
47:46I think we have to start questioning each other in the football team.
47:50Questioning each other's character, passion, desire, heart,
47:53whether we want to win enough.
47:55All them things make a successful team.
47:58And at the minute, we don't have that.
48:01But again, everyone needs to look at themselves in the mirror
48:04and ask that question of themselves.
48:07And if they don't, then more for them.
48:10They won't be in the game very long.
48:13Heading east across the coast now.
48:14And the Herne Bay chairman, Matt Barman, is confident
48:17they'll appoint their new manager in the next few weeks
48:19after Liam Friend's dismissal as player manager.
48:22Barman said, obviously, we're managerless at the moment.
48:25That'll get addressed.
48:26We hope to get that rectified in the next couple of weeks.
48:28Then he'll have his own assessment and his own ideas.
48:31But this is what he had to say about the dismissal.
48:33I like Liam and have got plenty of time for him as a person.
48:35But results spoke for themselves and the decision was made.
48:38It just didn't work out for him, unfortunately.
48:40The Bay's next upcoming fixture is Sevenoaks Town,
48:43a big game for their league position.
48:45Next to rugby.
48:46And Medway fought back to secure a 32-14 bonus point victory
48:50over Shelford in the Regional Ones at Priestfield.
48:53In the start, Medway looked bright,
48:55applying early pressure and opening the scoring
48:57through Owen Church Mills,
48:58who slotted a penalty after 16 minutes.
49:00They grew their advantage with another try,
49:02thanks to the forwards and backs,
49:03to move 11 points ahead, approaching the interval.
49:06In the second half, plenty of pressure on both teams,
49:08but Medway got a penalty that Jamie Ford converted
49:10to make it 14-13.
49:12And late on, John Sapawa broke through the shelf for defence
49:14and earned a valuable bonus point.
49:17The Juddians scored seven tries,
49:19but still ended up losing a 53-48 league defeat.
49:24The teams both had eight touchdowns in the first half,
49:27but once the defensive line was broken,
49:28both struggled to prevent damage.
49:31Tykes stuck first due to their left winger,
49:33scoring his first of four tries.
49:35After 15 minutes, the lead's Tykes went back at it
49:38to make it 14-5.
49:39Two quick bursts earned them a bonus point
49:41on the 22nd mark.
49:42In the second half, they extended their lead,
49:45but in the end, the score was as it stands.
49:49Next, a boxer, Curtis, aged 19,
49:52dominated all eight rounds of his flyweight bout
49:54against Tasmanian Jemzee Kibizane.
49:57The teenager's strength and conditioning coach,
49:59Alex Palmerton, believes he can go a long way in the sport.
50:03He said he's so coachable,
50:04he takes everything on board and works hard.
50:06He's got a lot of expectations on his shoulders,
50:08considering who he's around with his promotional deal,
50:10but he takes it all in stride
50:11and is such a down-to-earth, humble kid.
50:14Next, Margate Strokes Adventure Golf
50:16is set to host the British Mini Golf Championships
50:18this weekend.
50:19The courts features a layout of water hazards,
50:22three-tier greens, ramps, tunnels, and chutes,
50:24all designed to test your mini golf skills
50:25at the highest level.
50:27It also has Heartbreak Ridge,
50:28known as one of the most feared holes on the circuit,
50:31where a score of seven is as likely as a hole in one.
50:36And that's all the time we have for your sports news.
50:38See you soon.
50:49A man from Broadstairs has tackled a 500-kilometre ultramarathon
50:54in order to raise money for a Kent SEND school and charity.
50:57He trained for the gruelling hike
50:59by dragging a tyre across Broadstairs Beach,
51:02and Finn McDermid spoke to him back in February
51:04while he was training for that challenge.
51:07Here in Kent, the weather isn't always our best friend,
51:10but one man from Broadstairs seems to have made it
51:12his personal enemy.
51:14Dragging a tyre from Broadstairs Beach
51:16along the coastline to Ramsgate
51:17is a regular task for Rob Wilkinson,
51:20who was born and raised in the town.
51:22The weight of the tyre and the friction of the sand
51:24is supposed to mimic the resistance of a sled
51:26being dragged across snow,
51:28all to make sure Rob is ready for hauling his food,
51:31kit, and survival gear for 10 days across the Arctic.
51:35So it's called the Lapland Arctic Ultra.
51:37It's just over 500 kilometres across the Arctic,
51:41fully self-supported.
51:42I'll be putting a sled.
51:44It's going to be pretty chilly.
51:46They've told me to prepare for temperatures down to minus 40,
51:49which is no joke.
51:51It feels a bit like today, I think.
51:53But, and, yeah, it's going to be interesting, that's for sure.
51:59As I said, I think it's just a combination
52:02of constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone
52:05and seeing how far I can go.
52:08Rob's been told by others that the Lapland Arctic Ultra
52:11is quite a difficult challenge.
52:13But Rob has done others that he hopes
52:16will prepare him for the gruelling distance.
52:19So I've done quite a few different endurance events.
52:22In 2019, I was part of the No Man campaign,
52:26and that was a race with eight ocean rowing boats,
52:29four-man teams,
52:31and over five days we rode across the Mediterranean,
52:34or part of the Mediterranean.
52:35A couple of years ago,
52:38I took part in something called the Fat Viking,
52:41and nothing to do with how I look.
52:44It was an ultra-endurance bike ride
52:47on mountain bikes with fat tyres, hence the name.
52:51And I rode non-stop for 24 hours and 40 minutes,
52:56and that was pretty brutal.
52:59The challenge isn't just for Rob to see if he can complete it,
53:02but also to raise money for Kent Search and Rescue,
53:04as well as Fallen Field's special-needs school.
53:07When he heads off in March,
53:08temperatures will reach as low as minus 40 degrees,
53:11and he'll have to cover around 500 kilometers,
53:14which is equal to roughly 10 ultra-marathons back-to-back.
53:18Naturally, this had me wondering,
53:19is training on Broadstairs Beach with a tyre really enough?
53:22Well, I would come to regret that question,
53:25as well as not checking the weather
53:26before I set off this morning.
53:28Well, it's definitely quite heavy,
53:30and I can't really imagine dragging this across the Arctic,
53:33let alone across Broadstairs Beach.
53:37Finn McDermott for KMTV in Broadstairs.
53:43We spoke to Rob earlier about his success on the show.
53:47First of all, we saw some of the preparations there.
53:50Can you tell us how it felt to cross the finish line
53:52after 500 kilometers across the Arctic?
53:56A relief.
53:58The race was touted as 500 kilometers,
54:02but it was actually 511 in the end,
54:05and the last 11 kilometers were definitely the longest 11 of the whole event.
54:10We've definitely had some hotter weather here,
54:12but I know you were there in the freezing cold,
54:15minus 35 degrees.
54:16What does that feel like?
54:20Pretty chilly.
54:22Obviously, you're wearing the correct kit,
54:25and when you get going, you warm up.
54:29But no, it was very chilly,
54:31especially on the fingers.
54:32I've lost the feeling in the tips of my fingers,
54:36and I've got a bit of frost nip on the end of my nose,
54:39so you have to make sure that you're well covered up.
54:41And as soon as you stop,
54:42the big jackets go on and the big gloves,
54:44so that you stay warm.
54:48And how does training with that tire along the beach
54:51compare to the real thing then?
54:55It was good training.
54:57It was probably the best that I could simulate,
55:00but it's nothing like it in reality.
55:05Yeah, it was a difficult day, really.
55:10It was a good simulation,
55:11but it's nothing like the real thing.
55:14And where's the money that you raise
55:16through this challenge actually going?
55:19So it's going to be split 50-50
55:21between Kent Search and Rescue
55:23and Fallen Fields Special Educational Needs School.
55:28Amazing.
55:29And what kind of things do they do?
55:32So Kent Search and Rescue,
55:34they are helping the emergency services,
55:38the front line when people go missing in the area.
55:40I want to support a local charity,
55:43local to Kent,
55:44and they do an amazing job,
55:45and I thought it was quite apt
55:46for what I was doing.
55:49And also Fallen Fields supporting children
55:54with complex special educational needs
55:56down in Broadstairs in Kent.
55:59And I can imagine when it was getting really tough
56:02during that challenge,
56:02you were thinking about the money
56:04that was going to charity.
56:05How did that feel,
56:06knowing that you were doing a good thing?
56:10I'd be lying if I was to say
56:12that it wasn't a few tears
56:13throughout the challenge.
56:15It does get quite testing,
56:19and you've just really got to push through.
56:21And that's kind of the reason why I do it.
56:24So making yourself accountable,
56:26not only to the charities,
56:27but to the people that are supporting you along the way,
56:30it does give you that boost
56:32and that morale kick when you really need it.
56:37You've been watching Kent Tonight live here on KMTV.
56:40There's more news made just for Kent
56:42throughout the evening.
56:43Don't forget,
56:44you can always keep up to date
56:45with the latest news across your county
56:47by logging on to kmtv.co.uk.
56:50Thank you so much for joining me.
56:52Thank you very much,
56:53and goodbye.
57:14We'll see you next time.
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