Machete man Michael Mankelow once threatened to kill a High Court judge, it has been revealed. The 58-year-old from Walmer has been convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to a police officer, who he had attacked with the lethal weapon.

A computer hacker from Walmer who launched cyber attacks on the websites of Kent Police and Oxford and Cambridge universities has been told by top judges he deserved every day of his jail term. Lewys Stephen Martin, a member of the NullCrew hacktivist grouP, was jailed for two years at Maidstone Crown Court in May, after admitting five counts of unauthorised modification of computer material, two of securing unauthorised access to computer material and one of making, supplying or obtaining articles for use.

Protesters complaining about helicopter flights making too much noise during Deal Regatta Week have been labelled as “party-poopers and miserable”. The description came from John Trickey, chairman of the Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown Regatta Association, who was left angry at the loss of the popular trips, now banned.

Deal MP Charlie Elphicke has launched a campaign to safeguard the future of Deal Hospital. He is sending out a survey to every household in Deal and Walmer to seek views on what current services are important and what other services residents would like to see provided from the hospital.

A Sandwich resident fears his privacy may be invaded after plans to raise the path outside his home have come to light as part of Sandwich Town Tidal Defence Scheme.

These are some of the top stories in this week’s East Kent Mercury.