Samuel Turner

Gerard Parkinson, 64, was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court of two counts of attempted murder after attacking two women at a house in Bonney Way, Swanley, on March 1, 2023. He struck one woman with a club hammer and stabbed and struck the other, causing serious injuries including a punctured lung; a relative was also injured. Parkinson had admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by asking a victim to withdraw allegations. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison, followed by five years on licence.

The Metropolitan Police have released an e-fit image of a man they want to question about two separate assaults involving elderly men in Eltham. The incidents occurred on Tiverton Drive on April 8 and Avery Hill Road on May 18; the victims suffered injuries that did not require further medical treatment and are not believed to know the attacker. The suspect is described as a man in his 20s, around 6 feet tall. Police are asking anyone with information to call 101 and quote the relevant incident reference.

An elderly man in his 80s was critically injured after being struck by a car on Long Lane in Croydon, prompting emergency response from police and ambulance services. The driver, a 60-year-old woman, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice, and failing to stop. The road was closed for investigation, and authorities appealed for witnesses with relevant information.

A 16-year-old boy died in hospital after being struck by a car on Manor Lane in Lewisham on July 9. Emergency services treated him at the scene before he was transported to hospital, where he died three days later. An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous and drug driving and later bailed. Detectives appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage, particularly involving a white Range Rover Evoque, as enquiries continue.

A van caught fire on Skid Hill Lane near New Addington at 7.27am, forcing motorists to stop as flames engulfed the vehicle. Firefighters from Biggin Hill Fire Station extinguished the blaze, and no injuries were reported. Photos showed the extensive damage left behind after the fire was controlled.

An emergency incident has shut rail lines between New Cross Gate, Crystal Palace and Norwood Junction, disrupting London Overground, Southern and Thameslink services with delays up to 25 minutes and cancellations. Passengers are advised to use alternative routes, with ticket acceptance in place across London Buses, Underground services and other Southern and Thameslink trains. The incident is under assessment by local staff and Network Rail, and compensation may be available for affected travellers.

A grass fire near Crockenhill Road in Orpington partially destroyed a cornfield and damaged two vehicles and an outbuilding. Eight fire engines and about 60 firefighters from Orpington, Sidcup and Eltham brought the blaze under control by 3:29 p.m. Fire breaks helped prevent it from spreading further, while the London Fire Brigade urged landowners to create similar barriers amid continuing hot weather. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.