Episodes
Ashford town centre has been taped off by police after a woman's body was found.Officers and paramedics were called to the High Street just before 11.30pm last night. Hear from our reporter Dan Wright who's at the scene.Also in today's podcast, a man is starting life in prison for murdering a homeless barrister in Canterbury.Sobantu Sibanda, 28, who's also homeless, attacked Guy Malbec in a car park last April and left him wrapped in a sleeping bag. We've got reaction from police and the victim's brother-in-law who spoke outside court.The ambulance trust covering Kent has apologised after a...
There's anger over changes to recycling rules that have come into force across Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable.Households have been warned blue and red-lidded recycling bins will not be collected if they're "contaminated".Also in today's podcast, Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill has passed its final hurdle in the Commons - despite some rebellion from his own Conservative backbenchers.Former home secretary Suella Braverman and ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick were among just 11 Tories who voted against it. The Prime Minister has been giving a news conference at Downing Street.A Sheerness...
A Bobbing man has been banned from Asda after running down a closed travelator to get home to his seriously-ill wife.The 68-year-old admits he verbally abused the deputy manager after being “trapped” inside the Sittingbourne supermarket.Also in today's podcast, three Kent MPs were among those who rebelled against the government and backed changes to the controversial Rwanda bill.The vote has led to some speculating that Rishi Sunak could face a leadership challenge.A school in Ashford has been forced to close six times in three months because its new £358,000 air source heat pump system kee...
Parents of disabled children say they are being “pushed out” by a Kent zoo after new restrictions were placed on carer passes. Rule changes at Wingham Wildlife Park have left some families concerned they won't be able to afford to take their kids. Also in today's podcast, the government's Rwanda scheme is back in the national spotlight today - there'll be a debate over amendments in the commons ahead of a vote tomorrow. A Kent charity is calling for the scheme to be scrapped completely following the death of five asylum seekers in the Channel over the weekend. The Church is facing a huge ba...
People living in a village near Dover are so fed up with the state of the roads, they've set up a pressure group.West Hougham only has a population of around 600 people but the roads have an estimated 90 potholes. Hear from one of the residents who's calling for action.Also in today's podcast, a charity in Dover is calling for a fresh approach to stop the boats following the deaths of five asylum seekers in the Channel.32 others were rescued after a vessel got into difficulty near a beach in northern France in the early hours of yesterday.A Kent toddler who underwent a life-saving liver tra...
A mum and her ex-boyfriend found guilty of murdering her toddler son near Faversham have been sentenced to life in prison.27-year-old Sian Hedges from Yelverton in Devon - and 35 year-old Jack Benham from Highstreet Road in Hernhill killed 18 month-old Alfie Phillips at a caravan in 2020.The sentencing was broadcast live in a first for any court in Kent. Hear what the judge had to say.Also in today's podcast, there are fears for the future of Maidstone's Fremlin Walk after big names retailers moved out.While the likes of Zara have gone completely, House of Fraser has announced it'll be clos...
A 22-year-old who died in a crash in Chatham has been described as a 'loving' and 'devoted' young dad.Scaffolder Liam Dixon passed away last week after the motorbike he was riding collided with a car as he travelled home from work.Also in today's podcast, a professor of law at the University of Kent has raised concerns about government plans to exonerate all former postmasters prosecuted using evidence from the flawed Horizon IT system.It's as the government says it's working to overturn all convictions as 'quickly as possible'.The Prime Minister's been asked to step in following concerns f...
There's shock today as a popular bakery has announced it's closing four of its shops in Kent.Cheran Friedman started Cheran's Bakery in Sittingbourne in 2022 before expanding across the county. Hear what she's said in a statement.Also in today's podcast, hear from a former post office manager who was sent to prison because of the Horizon scandal.It's as the government announces plans for a new law to override the wrongful convictions of 700 staff and pay compensation.A Maidstone mum has described the moment a car crashed into her home.Allana Spencer's now having to live in a hotel after the...
A Chatham woman claims her former landlord is holding her mother's ashes to ransom.Geraldine Glanville accidentally left the remains at the property in Luton Road when she was evicted in December for non-payment of rent.Also in today's podcast, KentOnline's been told there's been an increase in the number of XL Bully owners in Kent turning to privately owned dog parks now the breed's been banned.Since the start of the year it's been illegal to walk the dogs in public without a muzzle and on a lead. Hear from Maxine Hughes who runs Royal Hounds Dog Park in Meopham.A Gravesend man has spoken ...
A restaurant owner in Dover says potential customers are being left with nowhere to park because people are leaving their cars in spaces for days at a time. He's calling for ANPR cameras to be installed to weed out problem parkers. Also in today's podcast, there's grim predictions that we could see three years of Operation Brock on the M20 when the new Entry/Exit systems are introduced at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. The post-Brexit checks will be put in place in October, sparking fears of 14 hour backlogs and traffic chaos. A mum from Ramsgate has stepped in to save the life of a stra...
There's been severe travel disruption in Kent after heavy rain caused landslips.No trains were able to run from Maidstone East towards Ashford - services were also affected between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings. Hear from one of the bosses at Southeastern.Meantime, after all the wind and rain, we're now set for some cold weather across Kent.Forecasters say temperatures will remain in single figures over the next few days - and drop below freezing at night. We've been speaking to the deputy director of public health in the county.Residents in part of Ashford say they're still fighting for rep...
Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for a new one-way system in Herne Bay to be scrapped, just weeks after it came into force.The new road layout has been set up as part of the seafront is now cordoned off to make way for a new plaza area.A woman who lost everything in a fire at her home in West Kingsdown says she has her rescue dog to thank for still being alive.Emma Churchill's caravan caught alight on Christmas Eve but luckily she was alerted by her pet dog Dobby.We are now into a second day of strike action by junior doctors in Kent and the rest of England.A row has broken...
A homeless man who was well known for sitting outside M&S on Strood Retail Park with his dog has died.Scott Flisher’s mum has been paying tribute after he passed away in hospital on New Year’s Day.Also in today’s episode, junior doctors in Kent and the rest of England have begun the longest strike action in NHS history.They are walking out for six days in an ongoing dispute over pay, which is having a big impact on health services in the county.A motorcyclist says he is prepared to take the council to court after suffering life-changing injuries when his motorbike hit a pothole near Folkest...
It has emerged a mum from Dover who has been jailed for child cruelty is a convicted killer.Nicole Tobin was just 15 when she was locked up for stabbing a man at a Pontins holiday camp in 2002.Also in today’s episode, the government has been accused of being "misleading" after announcing they have cleared a backlog of asylum claims.The Home Office say they have met their target early, after processing more than 112,000 applications last year – but Labour say 17,000 people have simply “disappeared”.A young woman from Ashford who was given just 12 weeks to live three years ago says she is gra...
It has been a chaotic start to the big Christmas getaway, after an unexpected strike by Eurotunnel staff in France caused major disruption on Kent's roads.Trains were cancelled for several hours yesterday, and although the dispute has now been resolved it has had a huge knock-on impact on cross-Channel traffic.Also in today’s episode, shoppers are being urged to "keep their cool" this festive season, as retail workers in Kent speak out about violence, threats and abuse.Figures show nearly two-thirds of staff have been verbally abused and 42% have been threatened.There are calls for Kent Pol...
A man who left his wife with a permanent scar after attacking her at a caravan park in New Romney has been jailed.A court has heard how Michael Quilligan was trying to stop his partner leaving a caravan at the Marlie Holiday Park when he grabbed her mouth.Also in today's episode, bosses at a foodbank in Medway fear they'll hit record numbers this Christmas, as they continue to feed thousands of people.Gillingham Street Angels run charity shops, soup kitchens and other support services - which costs about £1 million a year in total.It comes as a poll has found more than half of us will be sh...
A woman from Charing is facing prison after being found guilty of causing the death of another woman while using her phone behind the wheel.Emma Farrelly was trying to make a call to her dad when she hit a car, killing the passenger.Also in today's episode, East Kent Hospital Trust has been told it must take immediate action to make improvements, following an inspection..The Care Quality Commission found failings with medical care and children and young people services at both the William Harvey in Ashford and Margate's QEQM.Part of a road has collapsed in Maidstone after a large sinkhole o...
Planning papers reveal a divisive seafront development dubbed a “mini Center Parcs” could have up to 220 holiday homes.New documents show the scale of the bold proposals to turn Hythe Golf Club into a lakeside tourist destination.Also in today's podcast, hear from police officers who have been on patrol tackling violence against women in Canterbury.Operation Vigilant is a special mission to find men displaying signs of predatory behaviour, such as sexual harassment, inappropriate touching and loitering.Drone and police dogs are being used to try and hunt down burglars who stole £14,000 wort...
A pub landlord who's thought to be the youngest in Kent has spent £50,000 revamping his old local.Kyle Blair went to The Black Horse on Bean High Street with his parents growing up, and became the landlord when he was just 20.Also in today’s episode, a driving instructor from Deal who was found asleep at the wheel following a drinking session has been fined and banned from driving.Former police officer Mitchell Humphrys, who ran Mitch's School of Motoring, was reported by his ex-wife after going out to the pub in July.A £2.5 billion theme park earmarked for north Kent looks like it could be...
A Sittingbourne woman says she would be terrified to go back to A&E, after sitting in a waiting room for four days.Sandra Yemen was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital with severe stomach pain and suspected blood clots.Also in today's episode, a person has died after a boat carrying 66 asylum seekers capsized overnight in the Channel.Another person is in a critical condition in hospital following a search and rescue operation off the coast of France.The family of a Gravesend security guard killed in a crush at the O2 Brixton Academy are urging people who were there to contact police.It is a y...
Top Boy star Ashley Walters has revealed he'll have to move if a Kent council keeps rejecting his plans to extend his home.The former So Solid Crew member wants to make changes to the bungalow he owns near Herne Bay.Also in today's podcast, two parts of Kent have been named among the worst places for homelessness in the south east.We've been speaking to Shelter who compiled the figures.Meantime, a charity based in the county town say they saw a spike in families relying on foodbanks during the first week back at school in September.Maidstone Homeless Care says spiralling costs mean househol...
A leisure complex in Tonbridge could be knocked down after it was deemed 'not fit for purpose'.Council bosses are looking at replacing the Angel Centre with a completely new building. Hear from leader Matt Boughton.Also in today's podcast, the Prime Minister has survived a vote on his Rwanda asylum policy.The bill's passed to the next stage with a majority of 43, but still has a number of hurdles to overcome. Hear what Dover's Natalie Elphicke had to say during a debate, and we've got reaction from Ashford's Damian Green.Medway is getting a share of £5 million of funding to bring historic b...
A five-year-old boy from Gravesend with a rare genetic condition is on life support in a London hospital after catching a cold. His mother says he is critically ill, but hopes he'll be home in time for Christmas. Also in today's podcast, it's a big day for the Prime Minister as he tries to get his Rwanda asylum plan through the commons. You can hear the thoughts of Ashford MP Damian Green who leads the One Nation group of around 100 conservative. There's been a clear warning from Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner - do not buy your children an e-scooter for Christmas.Matthew Scott says th...
Plans for a new nightclub in Ashford have been welcomed by residents who say it could bring much-needed footfall and variety to their town.If approved it would only be 400 metres from the town's only other club Cameo. Also in today's podcast, a married couple "got the wrong" end of the stick when they launched a violent attack on a man they believed to have used a homophobic slur. The pair lashed out outside a pub in Canterbury and left their victim with a fractured jaw. Some sad news, with a man found dead in a vehicle parked behind a Co-op in Northfleet. A witness has described how the ca...
A man has been arrested following the death of a seven-year-old boy in a suspected hit and run near Folkestone.William Brown Junior was knocked down as he went to retrieve a football on Sandgate Esplanade on Wednesday. His dad, William Senior, has paid a heartbreaking tribute.Also in today's podcast, a 16-year-old girl says she's worried she'll miss out on getting support from youth workers after the council cut funding for youth services.Jasmine Manning from Swanscombe is home-schooled and has been using services run by Gifted Young Generation, which include performing arts workshops.The f...
The family over a seven year old boy who was killed in a hit and run in Folkestone say he was a "beautiful boy" who believed in forgiveness and love. William Brown Jr was knocked down in Sandgate Esplanade and his family are now appealing for the driver responsible to come forward. Also in today's podcast, a woman has told how she screamed when she found her “obsessive” ex-boyfriend standing in her bedroom doorway after he crept into her house.The Ramsgate man had gone to extreme efforts to contact her – using 50 different phone numbers.Fire chiefs have raised alarms over escape routes from...
A Kent postman says he used to be proud to wear his Royal Mail uniform but now he feels embarrassed. He's written a letter revealing what it's like to really work for the service following a KentOnline report that showed some people in the county are waiting weeks for vital letters. Also in today's podcast, the family of a young woman from Herne Bay who took her own life say she still might be alive if more had been done to treat her anxiety and depression. She went missing just hours after a phone consultation with her GP where she admitted to having thoughts of self harm. A bully who mugg...
A school in Ashford will become the first in Kent to lock away student mobile phones in pouches. The principal of the John Wallis Academy will bring in the the changes next term in the hope of minimising distractions in class and improving behaviour.Also in today's podcast, Kent MP's calling on the government to act on recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry - which concluded 8 months ago. Bereaved families are delivering a letter to Downing Street, demanding that victims are given the recommended compensation. Sevenoaks council is considering building on the green belt to reach its...
Bosses in Medway have admitted they weren't consulted about families from a London borough moving into a former office block in Chatham.Around 80 homeless families from Newham are preparing to relocate to Anchorage House which has been converted into apartments. Hear from reporter Nicola Jordan who has been following the story.Also in today's podcast, there are calls to set up a banking hub in part of Medway as more branches are due to close.Lloyds and Natwest have announced plans to shut their sites in Strood because more customers are using online services instead. We've been speaking to ...
Holiday makers have been left in shock as Pontins announced their Camber Sands site will be closing with immediate effect. Customers have been told some bookings will have to be cancelled and refunded. Also in today's podcast, snow has been falling across parts of Kent as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning for the county. There are warnings for snow and ice as we head into the weekend. People in some parts of the county say they're going weeks without any deliveries from Royal Rail. It's prompted calls from one Kent MP for urgent action ahead of the busy Christmas period. A St...