It's been another very eventful year across south-east London and north Kent.

Here, we round-up the stories that were making the news during the first half of the year.

JANUARY

Our reporters produced some tragic stories to start the new year after two youngsters were found dead in separate incidents.

Man missing after New Year's Eve at The O2 found dead in Canary Wharf

Sam Clarke, 20, died after falling 50 feet from a construction site in Canary Wharf after going missing on New Year’s Eve.

He had been out with friends at The O2 in Greenwich before he was discovered in Bank Street on January 2.

More heartbreak was felt in south-east London days later when Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo, just 18, died of multiple organ failure.

Chislehurst murder: Community in shock after teenager killed

He was found in Empress Drive in Chislehurst on January 10 and a murder investigation was initially set up.

One teenager was arrested before the case closed in August.

A seven-year-old boy with a rare condition can finally ride a bike

 

Despite the bleak start, News Shopper had some uplifting content, including a little boy, seven, who was able to ride a bike again after brain operations.

The Dartford boy, Rhys, has no motor function in his left hand, and a children’s charity offered £1,300 to buy the boy a specialised bike.

Rhys now rides the bike to school once a week and is mixing more with his friends.

FEBRUARY

KFC in Erith 'smuggles in chickens' amid national shortage

The country went into a February frenzy after a national chicken shortage left KFC branches having to close.

However, KFC in Manor Road, Erith was accused of fowl player when two employees were seen on camera “smuggling chickens” into the store.

KFC immediately launched an investigation.

Men in balaclavas attack couple in their home in Almond Way, Bromley

 

In more serious news, readers were left shocked when they learned how a woman with a brain tumour was attacked inside her home by two men.

Caroline McDonald, 54, was grabbed by the throat and was punched and kicked in her home on Almond Road in Bromley.

She told News Shopper the scare left her feeling constantly unsafe.

Swan 'decapitated' in Thamesmead in second killing in a week

Residents were left horrified after the "Thamesmead Swan Ripper" struck for the seventh time near Southmere and Birchmere lakes.

Swans were left decapitated, with the RSCPA and the Met Police investigating.

MARCH

Danson Park death: Family pay tribute to Stephen Cavanagh

News Shopper began the month by publishing a heartfelt tribute to a man who died after saving his dog from a frozen lake in Bexleyheath.

Stephen Cavanagh, 60, was described as a devoted husband, dad, granddad, son and brother.

His daughter, Nicola, added: “We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for their best efforts in trying to save Steve, despite the fact that they didn’t know him.”

Nurses sleep overnight at Queen Elizabeth Hospital due to snow

Three children’s nurses proved what heroes they were after sleeping overnight in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

 

This was because the snow was causing travel chaos, and the trio thought it best to put patients first and to stay in work.

They slept on trolleys before looking after kids the following morning.

GoFundMe page set up to help 'Swanley Charlie' find a home

The Swanley community received some positive press when raising £2,000 for a homeless man known as Swanley Charlie.

He was left “overwhelmed” and the money went towards a rental deposit.

APRIL

Tributes to intruder killed in Hither Green burglary torn down

April was a month dominated by the news that a traveller was stabbed to death by a pensioner during a botched burglary.

Richard Osborn-Brooks, 78, was arrested on suspicion of murder but was released without charge after the death of Henry Vincent.

The pensioner, who was forced to permanently move from his home for his safety, received lots of support after the incident.

A fundraiser was immediately launched to help raise money for potential legal fees.

Henry Vincent's funeral weeks later caused tension in Hither Green after mourners clashed with reporters.

Wedding at Darent Valley Hospital for woman with terminal cancer

 

News Shopper wrote a poignant story in the same month as a groom pulled off a wedding in just 24 hours after his childhood sweetheart was told her cancer was terminal.

Kevin McCarthy, 62, and Mandy Lucitt, 57, married at Darent Valley Hospital after being together for 42 years.

Stylists offered their services, styling the bride’s hair and make-up free of charge.

MAY

Bromley murder: Friends pay tribute to Sophie Cavanagh

Bromley was rocked in May after a mum was found dead in her estranged husband’s flat on Chatterton Road.

Sophie Cavanagh, 31, was strangled to death and her former partner, Martin Cavanagh, 35, was eventually jailed for life.

Her best friend, Stacey Lyons, told News Shopper: “I was her babysitter, she was mine, I was her shoulder to cry on when the kids were driving her mad and she was mine.”

Bexleyheath Asda: Police investigated after man jumped from roof

Our reporters handled another sensitive story that month after a man hurled himself off an Asda roof in Bexleyheath.

He was airlifted to hospital after claiming the NHS killed his baby.

The main survived the fall.

Bromley FC fans react to FA Trophy Cup final defeat

 

Footie fans experienced a special day on May 20 after Bromley FC made their first Wembley appearance in 69 years in the FA Trophy Cup final.

Unfortunately, The Ravens lost in extra-time but fans told News Shopper how proud they were of the team.

Supporter Lloyd Chambers said: “The result was getting to the final and getting 16,000 people engaging with the club.”

JUNE

Chislehurst Islamic school Darul Uloom London to stay open after court case

June proved a month for diverse stories with one of our standouts being an emergency application being submitted to close an Islamic faith school in Chislehurst.

This came after police arrested a staff member at Darul Uloom School after he was spotted with a firearm.

More than £200,000 was found at his school residence. His dad, the head teacher, was arrested the next day over suspected money-laundering offences.

The emergency application was rejected after the school made structural changes to its leadership.

Remembering Rosie charity shop in St Pauls Cray to close

A sad story hit the headlines after a charity shop set up in memory of a Beckenham teenager who was hit by a train closed.

Rosie Whitaker was 15 when she died at Beckenham Junction Station in 2012.

A café, Remembering Rosie, was opened in St Pauls Cray, but in June news broke that it was closing after five years.

Cotton Mill Micro Pub opens in old Swanley toilet block

 

In Swanley, two married couples attracted media attention after completing a two-year project to open a micropub in a former toilet block.

The Cotton Mill Micro Pub in Station Road held its launch party at the start of the month