News from the Miskin area
Long delays on M25 in Kent after three lorries in crash near Sevenoaks
The HGVS blocked a lane of the clockwise carriageway, near J5 for the M26/A21 at Sevenoaks, at about 7.15am.
It has led to lengthy queues, with traffic stretching back to J4 at Orpington.
Delays on the M25 after a crash involving three lorries
The Highways Agency said that at 8am, the crash was causing 30-minute delays.
A spokesman said normal traffic conditions were expected by 8.30am.
The crash also caused knock-on tailbacks of five miles on the M26 in Kent.
Man who posed as massage therapist jailed
A man who posed as a massage therapist and sexually assaulted a client has been jailed for 32 months.
Joe Marchant, aged 39, of Belfry Drive, Hoo, was charged with sexual assault following an incident in Halling on 29 July 2013.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on 2 August 2013 and on 23 April 2014, during the trial at Maidstone Crown Court, he entered a guilty plea.
The victim froze from the fake masseur's actions
Marchant inappropriately touched a woman whilst posing as a masseur at her home. He posted an advert online offering massages, but Marchant was not a qualified massage therapist.
Marchant carried out the massage in the victim’s bedroom and asked her ‘can you take your pants off?’ The victim said ‘no’ and Marchant then inappropriately touched her. The victim asked him to stop but he continued with the massage.
The woman described feeling shocked by his actions and that it made her freeze. When Marchant finished massaging the victim, he kissed her on the back before leaving.
Marchant faces time behind bars
The incident was reported to police the next day and Marchant was subsequently arrested and charged on 2 August 2013.
Marchant was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 27 May 2014 to 32 months in prison and an indefinite sexual offences prevention order was imposed.
Result shows the importance of reporting incidents
Speaking after sentencing, DC Mandeep Gill, investigating officer at Kent Police, said: ‘Marchant was a registered sex offender and advertised online with a false name to hide his identity. He posed as a masseur and then took advantage of his position by sexually assaulting his client. His actions caused the victim to feel embarrassed and distressed.
‘The incident was reported to police the next day and officers started making enquiries and gathering evidence. The evidence the victim was able to provide no doubt helped secure Marchant’s guilty plea.
‘This result shows the importance of victims of sexual assault reporting incidents to the police. Kent Police takes incidents of sexual assault very seriously and officers will investigate reported incidents and provide support to those who have been affected.’