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Alan Smith

Alan Smith joined the Kent Messenger as a trainee sub-editor in 1989. In 1998 he switched to a reporting role, chiefly on the Kent Messenger and subsequently on Kent Online.

Husband killed ‘ray of sunshine’ wife in murder-suicide

27 September 2024
Husband killed ‘ray of sunshine’ wife in murder-suicide

A tree surgeon in financial difficulties strangled, stabbed and hit his wife with a hammer before taking his own life.

‘Raw sewage spills across my driveway every time there is heavy rain’

27 September 2024
‘Raw sewage spills across my driveway every time there is heavy rain’

A resident says raw sewage is spilling from a drain cover outside his home when it rains - and even a 30kg concrete dog isn’t able to hold it down.

Targeted murder or robbery gone wrong? Fatal shooting at pub unsolved 30 years on

26 September 2024
Targeted murder or robbery gone wrong? Fatal shooting at pub unsolved 30 years on

On September 26, 1994, Stan Nicholls was shot in the head as he left his local pub - 30 years on, his killers have never been caught.

Inquest opens into death of grandson who killed his nan

25 September 2024
Inquest opens into death of grandson who killed his nan

An inquest has been opened into the death of a refuse collector days after he fatally stabbed his grandmother.

‘We could have no market left thanks to parking charges’

25 September 2024
‘We could have no market left thanks to parking charges’

There are warnings that a town could lose its popular farmers’ market unless a council U-turns on its new parking policy.

6

Former village pub could become an HMO

21 September 2024
Former village pub could become an HMO

The upstairs of a former pub dating back to the 1800s could be converted into an HMO for 10 people.

6

Residents’ fury as homes decision deferred

20 September 2024
Residents’ fury as homes decision deferred

Residents blame council planning officer for talking councillors out of taking a decision to reject 52 homes plan.

1

80 cannabis plants found in flat’s loft

20 September 2024
80 cannabis plants found in flat’s loft

Three people are in custody charged with cultivating cannabis.

Reusable recycling bags on the way

20 September 2024
Reusable recycling bags on the way

Reusable recycling bags are being introduced by a council to cut out single-use plastics and save money.

Dig to uncover supersonic wartime rocket that exploded in Kent field

20 September 2024
Dig to uncover supersonic wartime rocket that exploded in Kent field

An archaeology dig has been uncovering the remains of a Nazi V2 rocket that exploded in a field during the Second World War.

3

New ANPR cameras at bus gates under consideration

19 September 2024
New ANPR cameras at bus gates under consideration

A fresh batch of ANPR cameras could soon be added to more Kent streets to catch motorists who disobey the rules.

3

Man accused of stealing cash from 90-year-old woman

19 September 2024
Man accused of stealing cash from 90-year-old woman

A man will appear in court charged with taking £30 from a 90-year-old woman after allegedly going into her home uninvited.

New powers see streets cleared of boy racers

19 September 2024
New powers see streets cleared of boy racers

Measures to combat nuisance motorists have worked after reports of antisocial behaviour relating to car meets dropped to zero since June.

Landslip causes problems for Kent commuters

19 September 2024
Landslip causes problems for Kent commuters

There are delays and diversions for rail passengers heading to London due to a landslip on the tracks.

1

‘Stay put’ policy at tower block hit by blaze

19 September 2024
‘Stay put’ policy at tower block hit by blaze

It has emerged that a tower block of flats was only partially evacuated during a recent fire because the building has a “stay-put“ policy.

11

Suspected burglars posing as police officers

19 September 2024
Suspected burglars posing as police officers

Images have been released in a bid to identify two men suspected of attempted burglary who have been dressing up like police officers.

3

Burst pipes leave hundreds without water

19 September 2024
Burst pipes leave hundreds without water

Bottled water had to be distributed after 400 homes lost their mains supply when pipes burst.

1

Queues on M25 after crash and fuel spill

19 September 2024
Queues on M25 after crash and fuel spill

An earlier accident is causing long delays on a key motorway.

‘Bitter disappointment’ as high court challenge over 2,000-home garden village fails

18 September 2024
‘Bitter disappointment’ as high court challenge over 2,000-home garden village fails

A tiny hamlet’s legal challenge to plans to impose a garden village of 2,000 homes on them has failed.

18

New care home to create 100 jobs

17 September 2024
New care home to create 100 jobs

The opening date of a new 70-bed care home, set to create dozens of jobs, has been revealed.

1
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