When pregnant Debbie Griggs disappeared from her home in Deal in May 1999, suspicion soon fell on her husband, Andrew Griggs. But it took more than 20 years for him to be convicted of her murder. On the 25th anniversary of her disappearance, reporter Rhys Griffiths speaks to detectives who helped to bring her killer to justice and solve the mystery of the fate of her remains… It was October 5, 2022, and DCI Neil Kimber was looking on as the careful, methodical excavation of the garden of a family home in Dorset began to reveal the answer to a question which had remained unanswered for more tha...
Kent Online
Larkfield & New Hythe clinched promotion to the Southern Counties East Premier Division on Saturday. Second-placed Larkfield edged a tightly-contested Division 1 Play-off Final at home to third-placed Staplehurst Monarchs. It was a case of third time lucky for Larkfield, who lost the final to Sutton Athletic in 2022 and were knocked out on penalties at the semi-final stage by Tooting Bec 12 months ago. The winning goal came via an own goal just past the hour mark in front of an excellent crowd of 828. A first half of few chances saw the visitors go close after just 11 minutes when a missed cle...
Kent Online
A new £450,000 Co-op has opened its doors to customers for the first time. The shop is the first Co-op for Romney Marsh and has opened in Littleton Road, New Romney following a lengthy construction process. It has taken over a brownfield site previously described as an “eyesore” and provided jobs for 16 people. The shop features an in-store bakery, a Costa Coffee Express machine and a free cash machine. Store manager Gordon Hebdon said the team is enjoying settling into the new location. “We have had a great response, and it is a proud day to have launched Co-op’s newest store,” said Mr Hebdon...
Kent Online
A hairdresser forced to close his salon for six months because of a collapsed sewage system is over the moon to now be back open. Marcello Marino and his family, who live above the Ramsgate salon, had to relocate last year after the building was deemed unsafe. As well as leaving their home, it meant his beloved business, Marcello Hair Salon on West Cliff Road, had to close, leaving him out of pocket and his customers forced to go elsewhere. Six months on, following repairs by Southern Water, the father-of-three’s business is finally back open and he says it feels “amazing to be doing what [he]...
Kent Online
This Morning’s Gyles Brandreth has said he blames himself for the death of Rod Hull, the entertainer who fell to his death as he was trying to adjust the TV aerial on the roof of his home. The Sheppey-born ventriloquist, famous for his antics with his puppet Emu, tumbled from a ladder outside his bungalow in Winchelsea, East Sussex, in 1999. This was only years after his second marriage and his fortunes had hit the rocks, going from a 32-bedroom mansion in Medway to the dilapidated cottage. The 63-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital with a coroner later recording a verdict of a...
Kent Online
A Britain's Got Talent singer has thrown his support behind youth clubs at risk of closure. Harrison Pettman, from Gravesend, works part time at a club in his hometown and said they are a vital service for young people. It comes as funding cuts will see the end of Kent County Council (KCC) subsidies for youth clubs and other activities currently commissioned by the authority but run by outside organisations. “I was devastated when I heard,” Mr Pettman said. “My heart was broken. It’s so sad that young people are not going to have the opportunities that we were given.” The 23-year-old said he s...
Kent Online
Both slipways at a motorway junction will close next week as work continues on the multimillion-pound Stockbury Flyover project. The M2 Junction 5 London-bound entry and exit slip, near Sittingbourne, will shut for two nights. It is so National Highways can carry out essential works to its CCTV cameras and traffic monitoring system. Teams will also install permanent road signs during the works. The slips will be closed from 8pm–5am on Tuesday (May 7) and Thursday (May 9). A diversion will be in place for motorists wishing to join the M2 via the A249, M20, A229 and M2. Drivers looking to leave ...
Kent Online
Police have revealed a pedestrian died weeks after being hit by a car - and are urging more witnesses to come forward. The man, aged in his 50s, was left fighting for his life in a London hospital following the collision on Folkestone Road, near Dover Priory railway station, in December. But tragically, he died from his injuries a few weeks later. Officers believe there are members of the public who saw the crash who they have not yet spoken to. A police spokesperson said: “On Saturday, December 9, at about 6.50pm, officers attended the scene of an incident involving a black Ford Focus and a p...
Kent Online
A fifth-generation fruit farmer has grubbed 80% of his orchard, saying apples simply don’t make money any more. James Smith’s family has owned Loddington Farm for nearly 150 years, but he is now hoping to safeguard its future by diversifying the business, moving away from conventional, single-crop farming. Faced with climate change and adecline in the fruit-growing business which has seen trade plummet, it is out with the apples and in with asparagus. As well as turning to vegetables, he is planting vines, reintroducing livestock, and has just opened a farm shop. That, in turn, will sell produ...
Kent Online
Footage shows how a huge water leak has erupted in a town. It can be seen spilling onto the road at the junction between High Street and Ramsgate Road in Margate, near St John’s Church. Nichola Jarvis, who shared a video of the incident on social media, warned others: “You might lose water pressure soon in the CT9 area. “Fill up your kettles just in case.” Construction vehicles can also be seen in the clip, along with what appear to be roadworks barriers. Southern Water, which supplies water to the area, has been contacted for comment. The video has caught the attention of many on social media...
Kent Online
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