Dover Mercury

1 day ago | kentonline.co.uk | Charlotte Phillips

A sex offender who raped his victim in a hotel room has been jailed. Police first launched an investigation after a woman reported she had been assaulted in Gravesend almost four years ago. Daniel Holdaway, from Milton Regis, near Sittingbourne, had spent time with his victim during the evening before and had taken her to pre-booked accommodation. The two entered a hotel room together and, despite the woman repeatedly stating her wishes to Holdaway, he ignored them and raped her.

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Charlotte Phillips

A suspected shoplifter was arrested just minutes after stepping off a plane at Gatwick Airport. Margarita Clementi was detained following an investigation into the theft of more than £2,000 worth of handbags from John Lewis at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Greenhithe. It is alleged that three Coach handbags were stolen from the department store during separate incidents on August 9, 2024, and April 23 this year.

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Daniel Esson

Kent County Council’s new Reform UK leadership has requested a four-month extension to an “almost impossible” deadline for the reorganisation of local government. Under the government’s plans, Kent is set to see the largest shakeup since current authorities were created in 1974. Currently under the ‘two-tier’ system, the county has 12 district and borough councils, which split responsibility for public services with the overarching KCC.

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Elli Hodgson

WARNING: Distressing and upsetting images belowA woman has been banned from keeping animals after she allowed her cancer-stricken dog to die in pain without seeking veterinary care. Rebecca Anderson, of Kings Road, Chatham, was also given a four-month suspended prison sentence for ignoring the needs of her male bull-breed dog called Major.

2 days ago | kentonline.co.uk | Alex Langridge

A cat which was found with her kittens inside a cushion in a garden is believed to have been abandoned since last year. She is thought to have been left to fend for herself at the home in Otway Street, Chatham, since October. The cat and her four kittens, which were all in good health, were only discovered in the back garden when new tenants moved in on May 20.