Episodes
A mum and her former boyfriend have been found guilty of murdering her toddler son at a caravan near Faversham.Alfie Phillips was found to have 70 injuries including broken bones when he died in Hernhill in November 2020. Police have reacted to the verdict outside court.Also in today's podcast, the man who founded the Oasis group says the recent strike action by some teachers at a troubled school on Sheppey is heartbreaking.Staff at the academy sites in Minster and Sheerness have taken to the picket line over safety fears because of student behaviour. We've been speaking to Steve Chalke.Fun...
A Kent farmer who lost almost 30 of her sheep after they were mauled by dogs, says the blame should lie with the owners.Verity Garrett's flock were attacked at Eldridge Farm in Canterbury by an Alsatian and an Akita puppy that were left running loose. Now, a man has appeared in court.Also in today's podcast, the families of David Fuller's victims are calling for the chief exec of a hospital trust in Kent to resign after an inquiry highlighted 'serious failings'.The maintenance worker was able to abuse bodies in mortuaries at the Kent and Sussex and Tunbridge Wells hospitals over a 15 year p...
A rat infestation has been discovered in a hospital kitchen that serves 1,500 meals to patients each day.Food hygiene inspectors discovered the rodent problem when they visited the kitchen at the William Harvey in Ashford back in October.Also in today's podcast, the man leading the inquiry into the crimes of David Fuller has said if more checks had been in place at a hospital trust in Kent, he could have been stopped sooner.Fuller abused bodies in mortuaries at the Kent and Sussex and Tunbridge Wells hospitals over a 15 year period.His crimes involved around 100 women and girls aged between...
There's been a mixed response to plans to ban vehicles from another part of Deal high street.Council bosses want to stop people driving on the section between Union Road and Stanhope Road.Figures show more than 170,000 children across Kent have not been seen by an NHS dentist in the last year.Adults are also struggling to get an appointment with 63% going at least two years without seeing a dentist.A Tunbridge Wells man says he's lucky to be alive, after he developed symptoms to a rare, and often symptomless cancer. Lorry driver Alex Watson went to the doctor with severe itching across his...
Tributes are being paid to a Faversham man following his death at just 47 from bowel cancer.Carl Dobson's family are now raising money for Pilgrim's Hospice in Canterbury where he was cared for.Also in today's podcast, two years after at least 27 asylum seekers died while trying to cross the Channel, their families say they still don't have answers.The boat they were in capsized as they attempted to travel from France to Kent - but help didn't arrive for 12 hours. We've been speaking to Care4Calais who have worked with the families and published an open letter.The Mayor of Sandwich has join...
There has been a mixed reaction to a school's decision to have detentions on Saturdays.Bosses at Towers School in Ashford say the punishment will be issued to any pupil who's removed from class four times in a single week.A group of Kent doctors is calling for urgent action as they claim GP services are at tipping point.A survey has found 60% of GPs in the county are reporting significant stress levels, and 8% are considering leaving the profession in the next five years.Ofsted is warning the relationship between schools and parents is 'fractured', resulting in poor behaviour and attendance...
Teachers at the Oasis Academy on Sheppey say they've suffered death threats, racism and violence from students. Sites in Minster and Sheerness have been forced to close as staff take to picket lines following a number of frightening incidents. Also in today's podcast, after the backlash over a decision to house London families in a block of flats in Medway, the local authority will now be allowed to use some of the apartments as temporary accommodation. There had been concerns over the impact an influx of extra people would have on local services. Hear from a Kent councillor who says multip...
A Deal man who died after falling down an uncovered manhole on a construction site has been remembered as having a heart of gold. The father-of-two was helping to build a new estate in Ramsgate and was working at night when the accident happened. Also in today's podcast, a Bexley woman is in a critical condition in hospital after being attacked by a dog. The victim was airlifted to hospital from a property in Belvedere yesterday morning. Hear from a Kent councillor about the pressures local authorities are under to find temporary accommodation for people who might otherwise be homeless. A r...
A Dover teenager who stabbed a man then bragged about it, has been locked up.The victim had tried to help someone else who was being threatened and ended up having to be flown to a London hospital for treatment.Also in today's podcast, there's been an increase in the number of people across the south east being killed or seriously injured on the roads.Figures given to KentOnline put the total at almost 5,000 for last year - and 10% up on 2021. We've been speaking to Lucy Straker from road safety charity Brake.Videos are running on socials as part of a campaign encouraging young people in K...
A man has vowed to boycott a Canterbury pub after being accused by staff of taking drugs.Alan Mannings had visited The Thomas Ingoldsby for a drink and some food and was told he wasn't going to be served. He's been speaking to reporter Millie Bowles.Also in today's podcast, there are calls for urgent action to help a Kent girl who's in intensive care as she can't get the right treatment for her epilepsy.Teagan Appleby's mum says she's suffered 19 days of constant seizures after struggling to get access to medicinal cannabis. The issue has now be raised in the commons by her local MP.Kent's ...
Roads in Faversham are set to be transformed to make it a 'walking and cycling town'.The idea is to make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists and encourage more residents and visitors to choose green travel options. Hear from local democracy reporter Daniel Esson who wrote the story.Also in today's podcast, a Kent woman is calling for more awareness of common breast cancer symptoms, after being diagnosed with two different types of the disease.A recent survey's found 93% of women know a lump could be a warning sign, but the majority couldn't identify any others.Southern Water's anno...
The family of a Herne Bay man who was taken into custody after being pulled from a railway line have criticised police who gave him a train ticket after he was released.Daniel Little went on to take his own life - now, his loved ones have issued a statement following an inquest.Also on today's podcast, we've got reaction to a ruling by the Supreme Court that the government's Rwanda policy is unlawful.Hear from the Dover based charity Care4Calais.Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has been accused of sacrificing hard-working people after announcing plans for 500 job losses in Kent.Staff at the Di...
The family of Medway man who was found dead in The Netherlands have revealed his body was discovered almost two months ago.22-year-old Liam Graham went missing after a car crash near Hoo back in July.The Archbishop of Canterbury has repeated calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.There are growing concerns for doctors and patients at Gaza's biggest hospital which is in the middle of a war zone.A Kent mum is taking part in a march to parliament today to call for a life-changing epilepsy treatment to be made available on the NHS.Teagan Appleby from Aylesham can suffer up 300 seizures ...
A one-eyed biker from Herne Bay has appeared in court after threatening to kill another man's dog and beat him over the head with the carcass. A court heard a vicious exchange of WhatsApp messages that erupted after a row over a repair job to an exhaust pipe. Also in today's podcast, part of a road in Gravesend will be closed until 2025 while an old pub is turned into a care home. The Ascot Arms has sat empty for four years and now construction work is underway to build a three-storey facility in its place. Plans for a new SEN school in Gillingham have resurfaced, giving Medway students the...
Hundreds of protesters have staged a demonstration outside a company in Rochester which is accused of developing tech used by the Israeli army.Police were called to BAE Systems as pro-Palestinian campaigners blocked the entrances to the site.Also in today’s podcast, an Ashford mum says she is scared to leave the house after she was almost knocked down by a car while walking to school with her son.Michelle Hills was with nine-year-old Harley when a silver Audi narrowly missed them and crashed through the window of a block of flats in New Street.The Education Secretary has been in Medway to a...
The body of man who was found on a roundabout in Gillingham has been identified as a rough sleeper who was due in court. He was discovered by police after he failed to show up to face charges of arson and harassment.Also in today's podcast, a teenager has been sent to prison after an argument on social media erupted in gun and knife violence in Faversham.The frightening scenes were caught on CCTV and some of it was witnessed by an 11-year-old girl from her bedroom window. Town centre traders say plans to increase parking charges in Sittingbourne would be "another nail in the coffin" for sho...
The family of a 22-year-old man from Medway who has been missing for more than three months have confirmed he has been found dead.Liam Graham was last seen on video footage following a car crash on Stoke Road in July.Also in today's podcast, a Folkestone woman says she's 'furious' after being fined despite repeatedly trying to buy a train ticket.Kelly Hannah-Rogers wanted to get a Flexi 28-day season pass from the town's Central station - but the office closed. She's been explaining what happened next.The man in charge of overseeing the police in Kent has welcomed today's ban on laughing ga...
Our top story today is about the number of children in Kent not going to school.Since the pandemic, there's been a real issue with young people not turning up to class - and it can lead to parents ending up in court.Hear from reporter James Pallant who has been looking into this issue in depth, and a mum whose daughter refused to go to class.Also on today's podcast, it's been a big day in parliament with the first King's speech in more than 70 years.King Charles III has set out the government's plans for the next year - we've got analysis from our political editor Paul Francis.A Medway cha...
A woman who keyed cars in Sevenoaks because they were parked on pavements, caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.Find out what happened when the 62-year-old appeared in court for sentencing after admitting criminal damage.Also in today's podcast, an NHS worker says he's having to live in his car after being made homeless in Gravesend.Bogumil Kusiba works for the London Ambulance Service in Bexley and is now having to live in his Volkeswagon Fox. He's been speaking to reporter Alex Langridge.Several flood alerts are still in force across Kent after all the heavy rain we've had recently....
There is anger over plans to build 300 homes on farmland next to Howletts Wild Animal near Canterbury.The proposals have been unveiled just two years after a much smaller scheme was rejected and residents are not happy.Also in today’s episode, we have an update as Kent continues to deal with the aftermath of Storm Ciaran.Flood alerts are still in force and there are delays due to Operation Brock on the M20 as lorries queue to cross the Channel.Security minister and Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat says the government is working tirelessly to get British citizens out of Gaza.Palestinian ...
Storm Ciaran has been causing major disruption in Kent with strong winds and heavy rain battering the county.Flood alerts are in force, trees have fallen down and two buses have been evacuated after the front windows were blown out.Also in today’s episode, a Rochester man has been left living on the streets after being victim of an arson attack.Footage from his doorbell camera shows someone in a balaclava dousing cars in a flammable liquid and lighting it before running off.The family of a woman from Herne Bay have been telling us why they decided to hold a DIY funeral after she passed away...
The head teacher of a school in Gillingham has been told he has just months to live after being diagnosed with cancer.There has been a huge response from the community to help Alex Moir from Parkwood Primary.Also in today’s episode, we are being urged to take extra care as Kent starts to feel the effects of Storm Ciaran.Yellow weather warnings come into force this evening, with an amber alert for strong wind tomorrow.The person at the centre of this year's Edenbridge Bonfire has been revealed as Sadiq Khan.The 11-metre tall effigy was unveiled today and shows the London Mayor as a ULEZ came...
Residents and businesses have raised concerns as parking charges in Whitstable are set to rise by up to £2.10 an hour.Drivers using the town's busiest car parks currently pay an hourly rate as low as £1.60 - but that could soar to £3.70 under controversial new proposals.Also in today’s episode, a vigil has been held at Canterbury Cathedral to show solidarity with victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict.Dozens of people gathered for a service with representatives from the local Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities.Staff have been forced to leave their offices at Medway Council’s headquarter...
A Maidstone man who had to prove his car was compliant with ULEZ regulations is questioning how many other people have been wrongly charged.Edward Paul went onto the TfL website, and was told he'd have to pay an emissions charge to drive his 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan to Heathrow Airport.Also in today’s episode, several flood alerts are in force across Kent after heavy rain over the weekend.More weather warnings for strong wind and torrential downpours have also been issued as Storm Ciaran approaches.A young woman from Herne Bay who went missing more than 50 times as a teenager is sharing her s...
Villagers on Sheppey say their mile-long pop to the shop takes as long as an hour due to ongoing gas works. Chalet owners in Eastchurch have reported "nightmare" congestion after traffic was diverted down a narrow country lane. Also in today's podcast, hear from a Kent GP who has criticised the government for blaming NHS waiting lists on industrial action.The Health Foundation's warning the number of people waiting for treatment could rise to 8 million by next summer.Thousands of pounds have been raised for a primary school after a “heartbreaking” fire in Sittingbourne. Four fire engines ...
A woman has described the moment she drove past a lorry that had been engulfed in flames on the M2. Two people have been treated for burns after the vehicle went up in flames at Junction 2 for Strood. Also in today's podcast, hospital bosses have admitted the death of a much-loved primary school teacher with a “beautiful soul” could have been avoided. She died suddenly near Folkestone just days after first suffering from severe abdominal pain.Proposals to convert a derelict telephone exchange have been rejected for a fourth time in a planning saga that has lasted 10 years.The woman who purc...
A Faversham man says he was left shaken and in tears after being pulled over by armed police following what he claims was a malicious 999 call.Daniel Pearce says officers with guns dragged him from his car and handcuffed him after he was stopped on the A28 near Ashford.A Dover man has been seriously injured in a motorbike crash while on holiday in Greece.37 year-old dad-of-four Kie Mathias collided with a bus in Athens last Friday and is still unconscious.The decision not to have Eurostar services stop in Kent is being debated in parliament.A petition has been signed by more than 34-thousan...
A dad has been described as a loving, caring gentleman following his tragic death in the sea off the Kent coast.Tributes have been paid to 38-year-old Matthew Collins, who died in Broadstairs just three weeks after the birth of his sixth child.Also in today’s episode, a police officer has been left with serious facial injuries following an attack near Sittingbourne.Four officers were assaulted after being called to reports of a disturbance on Church Lane in Newington on Sunday morning.As we mark Black History Month, there are calls for more people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Kent to...
Podcast: Inquest into death of 12-year-old Pearl Unu-Arubi who collapsed at Rochester Grammar School
Details have emerged of how a 12 year-old girl died after collapsing at school in Medway.Pearl Unu-Arubi was flown to a London hospital after struggling to breathe at Rochester Grammar School in March.Also in today’s episode, a Maidstone mum who was told not to learn British Sign Language when she went deaf at the age of nine is now teaching others on TikTok.Claire Killacky lost her hearing after having meningitis and stayed in a mainstream school by lip reading.A dad who set up a group to help other men discuss the burdens of fatherhood says it has been such a success they're expanding acr...
The family of a man who died in a crash on the A228 near West Malling have descibed him as the 'nicest man in the world'.The motorbike 43-year-old Scott Reeve was riding collided with traffic lights at a pedestrian crossing not far from the railway station on Sunday evening.An elderly woman has been left waiting in the cold for more than an hour, as there was no room for her wheelchair on a bus.79-year-old Diane Williams was at Folkestone bus station with her daughter, who is calling for Stagecoach to adapt their vehicles.Princess Anne has been in Kent to officially open the new Royal Briti...