Episodes
A pensioner left locked out of her home in the dark believes she was ripped off by a “rogue trader” who charged a staggering £1,600 to get her into the property.The Ashford woman paid the eye-watering bill after being told the job had been carried out at the “going rate”.Also in today's podcast, a Strood family of three made homeless after a blaze destroyed their home of 14 years say they have “lost everything”.They are now living in temporary accommodation after their garden shed caught alight and spread to the house.A court has heard how a father-of-three attacked a drunken man who smashe...
An inquest into the death of a 12-year-old girl who suffered a severe asthma attack at a Medway school has heard how staff did their best to save her life. Pearl Unu-Arubi went into cardiac arrest at Rochester Grammar School in March last year. Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP has weighed into the debate about introducing a smacking ban. Doctors have warned the current laws are "dangerously vague" and changes would help crack down on child abuse. More than £150,000 pounds is thought to have been lost to ticket scams in Kent. Among those being targeted by fraudulent tickets are Taylor Swif...
A would-be arsonist who tried to set fire to a police station by pouring accelerant over a front counter and throwing a lit rag later admitted he had been having "an off day".He'd had gone to Medway police station armed with a jar filled with flammable fluid.Also in today's podcast, two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the death of a motorcyclist after police pursued a driver on the M25. Kent Police officers chased the vehicle over the Dartford Crossing on Sunday night before it became involved in a crash. There are calls for the government to step in and put an end to long d...
Seafront traders thrown into “turmoil” by do-not-swim warnings on two Kent beaches fear they could remain in place for years.The water on the Romney Marsh has been found to contain high levels of a bacterium that indicates the presence of human faeces.Also in today's podcast, a Maidstone mum has been left stunned after all her possessions were moved to a storage unit more than 60 miles away after a vehicle ploughed into her home.Allana Spencer is currently living in temporary accommodation with her young daughter after their house suffered extensive damage. A popular music festival held in ...
A 78-year-old woman had to have her lower leg amputated after her family claim she was left on a trolley in a hospital corridor for four days.She was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital with a foot infection on Good Friday which developed into sepsis.Also in today's podcast, a Rainham teacher has shared his incredible story as part of a campaign from Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The dad-of-three says his bedroom was turned into a makeshift operating theatre after he collapsed out of bed at four o’clock in the morning.The owners of an iconic country house-turned-hotel have un...
Motorists are up in arms about a hike in car park charges considered so “unreasonable” many believed it was an April Fool’s prank.Residents in Herne were previously able to park for a whole day for just £2.20, but that all came to an end when new tariffs were introduced on April 1st. Also in today's podcast, a new report has found 15 percent of Kent Police officers want to leave the force within the next two years. Almost 7 in 10 don't feel valued - and even more wouldn't recommend it as a job.Stab-proof vests have been handed to cleaners at a Kent shopping centre as part of their everyday ...
An inquest has heard a dad-of-two with an agonising back injury was found dead in bed after unintentionally overdosing on painkillers. The 31-year-old was discovered unresponsive by his heartbroken partner at their home in Birchington last November. Also in today's podcast, one year on from a landslide which closed a major road, residents and businesses have been left counting the financial, emotional and physical costs.The A226 Galley Hill Road in Swanscombe collapsed and people living nearby are desperately demanding action.An alarming survey has revealed more than half of staff at a Kent...
The family of a "kind-hearted and much-loved” man who died after a town centre assault have said they will fight for justice.The 33-year-old was put on life-support after being attacked twice within the space of two days in Chatham. Also in today's podcast, fire crews have been called out to a number of blazes in Kent in the last 24 hours. Sadly a cat has died in one house fire in Canterbury which is believed to have been started accidentally. A decade-long battle to get a landowner to clear up his farmland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is facing yet another delay.Maidstone counc...
Parents in part of Kent are demanding a new non-selective secondary school to save their children a 10-mile commute.Currently there isn't a non-grammar in Cranbrook, so pupils are faced with long journeys every day. That's led to mums and dads setting up a campaign group.Also in today's podcast, there's major disruption to rail services in Kent today as train drivers are out on strike.Members of the ASLEF union have been in a dispute with employers over pay since July 2022. We've been getting reaction from Southeastern.The man who wants to be the next Labour MP in Dover says the government ...
A dad-of-five who suspected his long-term girlfriend was cheating on him swapped her medication for laxatives.He was caught creeping into the kitchen on a CCTV camera the couple had installed at their Dover home.Also in today's podcast, a Marden dad shares his near-death experience as part of the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex Buy if for Life appeal. Warren Porritt had just minutes to live after he was involved in a near-fatal crash on Father’s Day in 2016. Commuters have expressed their delight at the return of a “priceless" park and ride - although critics still believe it is a ...
A coroner has revealed a soldier whose body was found in the River Medway after a night out may have suffered a “violent or unnatural death”.25-year-old Charlie Saywell was discovered trapped under a boat last month, and had rope around his legs and torso.A Medway mum says more needs to be done to improve services for children with special education needs.A report by Ofsted this week has found many are still waiting too long to be assessed, with inconsistent experiences and outcomes.Campaigners are celebrating after Folkestone flats they branded “horrendous” were snubbed following 300 comme...
A heartbroken family has paid tribute to their “adventurous” dad and husband after a fatal cycling accident near Tenterden. The 65-year-old was knocked off his bike by a car door and died in hospital just days later. Also in today's podcast, eyewitnesses have described the “scary” moment a huge shed blaze destroyed their neighbour’s garden and threatened to engulf their homes too.Firefighters now believe the blaze started accidentally due to an electrical fault within a shed.Hear from residents who are calling for action to be taken to improve a “dangerous” zebra crossing close to three sch...
Plans for a state-of-the-art medical centre in Sittingbourne are up in the air after concerns were raised over the cost of the rent.The new facility in the Bell Road development would serve an additional 6,000 patients, but NHS bosses say the scheme needs further work.Also in today’s episode, official figures show a record number of asylum seekers have crossed the Channel in small boats during the first quarter of this year.791 people made the dangerous journey over the Easter weekend, taking the total for 2024 so far to 5,435.There has been a rise in vehicle thefts across Kent, with police...
People behind a multi-million pound seafront development in Folkestone are using hawks to scare away seagulls.We're told it's to prevent them from nesting when they can become territorial and aggressive.Also in today's podcast, we're bring warned to expect delays this long weekend as millions of people get away for the Easter holidays.Figures from the AA show travel is set to peak on Saturday - with more than 18 million of us taking to the roads. We've been speaking to the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum to find out how they're preparing.There are also concerns a new entry exit system due...
People living in Sittingbourne say they feel trapped in their homes as roads works and new housing developments cause daily congestion. They're caught in the crossfire as the government set housing targets leaving local authorities to deal with the consequences.Also in today's podcast, thousands of NHS dental procedures have been cancelled in Medway over the last two years with more than 1.1 million not performed.It comes as half of all dentists based in the Towns say they won’t do any more NHS work due to financial pressures, “too much bureaucracy” and difficulty with recruiting and retain...
Police have been called to a school twice in one week amid concerns over a group of young people intimidating pupils in the area.The secondary’s head teacher has now written to parents saying it is not the only local school that the group is targeting.Also in today's podcast, activists have blockaded access points into a Kent weapons factory by lying across the road and locking themselves to gates.Eight pro-Palestine protestors claim they have “successfully shutdown” the site in Sandwich they say is sending military equipment to Gaza. More than 5,000 fare-dodgers a month are being hit with ...
An inquest has been held into the deaths of two young men following a crash on the A20 near Farningham.Jake Green and Alfie Green were friends who worked together.Police have charged a 12-year-old boy with attempted murder following a stabbing in Sittingbourne.A 15 year-old girl was taken to a London hospital after she was injured on Adelaide Drive on Friday. Reporter Joe Crossley has been to the scene.A coroner's found the death of a Sittingbourne mum could have been prevented if her cancer diagnosis hadn't been delayed .44-year-old Kerri Mothersole died in 2022 and an investigation found...
A family of Show People say they have no choice but to continue living on green belt land as they cannot find space on the county’s “overcrowded” Traveller sites.They've applied to change the use of land near the M25 to create permanent quarters for the 25 adults and 12 children to pitch on.Also in today's podcast, the University of Kent has confirmed six courses are set to be cut, following a consultation.Undergraduates at the campuses in Canterbury and Chatham who will see the subjects “phased out” over the next years say they are devastated. A court has heard how a cowardly thug dragged ...
A dad has criticised bosses at the East Kent Hospitals Trust after his sick son was forced to wait 18 hours for a bed.19-year-old university student Daniel Hebditch was taken to A&E in Ashford last week. Hear more from our reporter Liane Castle.Also in today's podcast, the government's flagship Rwanda policy has been delayed until after Easter.The House of Lords has voted to make seven changes to the draft legislation. Rainham and Gillingham MP Rehman Chishti has been speaking about it.The Kent Wildlife Trust is appealing for information following the death of four goats who were chased by ...
A Kent head teacher's issued a warning after a pupil collapsed shortly after using a vape that had been spiked with a deadly synthetic drug.In a letter sent to parents it says the teenager had just finished classes for the day at Herne Bay High and had been handed the vape by another youngster.Also in today's podcast, Operation Brock has been put in place on the M20 ahead of the Easter Holidays.The contraflow system between Maidstone and Ashford allows for lorries to be parked on the motorway if there are delays getting across the Channel at Dover.A Folkestone man who spent 26 years in pri...
A Sittingbourne mum says she's gone as far as writing to the Prime Minister after her son passed the Kent test, but wasn't given a place at a grammar school.Daniel Psenicnyj didn't get any of the four schools he'd applied for and has instead been offered a place at Oasis Academy on Sheppey which is rated inadequate. Hear from Daniel and his mum Anna who have been speaking to reporter Megan Carr.More than 50 vehicles have been stopped and drivers spoken to during a weekend of action to target nuisance motorists in Kent.Five of the vehicles were seized for being uninsured or untaxed, while tw...
Two brothers who've bought a holiday park on Sheppey, say they want to give back to the community.Bernard and John Saunders purchased Eden Leisure Park for £3 million and are now in the process of spending £400,000 on the site.The pair aim to create jobs and a 'higher standard' tourist destination and have been speaking to reporter Megan Carr.Also on today's podcast, the family of a Chatham mum who collapsed at work say her colleagues' quick actions saved her life.Amie Hodgson started complaining of a headache shortly after arriving at Brachers law firm - and was put in the recovery positio...
Podcast: Sheppey dad given just months to live after severe headaches lead to brain tumour diagnosis
A Sheppey dad has been told he may only have 15 months to live after suffering from severe headaches.Rick Smith started feeling unwell in February - now a CT scan has revealed a brain tumour. Friends and family have started fundraising in the hope he can have private treatment.Also in today's podcast, a meeting's being held later to look at what can be done to rescue woodland near Ashford that's been targeted by illegal dumping.Lorry-loads of rubbish has been left in Hoads Wood over a three year period. Hear from the Kent Wildlife Trust who are calling for action.Yvette Cooper's been telli...
Police are investigating the suspected murder of a man described as "generous, funny and loyal" in a village near Faversham. Detectives were called to The Street in Boughton under Blean last night, with it confirmed this morning the alleged attack was fatal.Also in today's podcast, a young mum who tragically died after choking on food while cooking a family dinner has been remembered as "tender and loving". The 33-year-old was discovered on the kitchen floor at home in Dover by her two-year-old daughter, her partner and his son.Plans to replace draughty windows that “rattle, howl and shake”...
A paedophile encouraged young girls to send him explicit photos before threatening to show the pictures to their parents or school if they refused his demands for more.The Whitstable man targeted his many victims online, often posing as a teenage boy as he sent and requested indecent images.Also in today's podcast, a Kent council is demanding answers over suspicions a London council is filling properties in its town with its homeless by offering “large incentives” to landlords.Gravesham council claims the practice is putting “considerable pressure” on its housing services. A Kent woman ha...
An Ashford woman has spoken out about the moment she was seriously injured in a dog attack.Fay Hagger suffered a fractured elbow and needed stitches after being bitten and dragged to the ground in Kennington in June last year.She's now slammed a decision by the courts not to put the Rottweiler-cross breed down and has been chatting to reporter Chantal Weller.After it was revealed the number of community wardens in Kent is set to be cut - one village has taken matters into their own hands.The county council are to scale back the project by as much as 40% to save £1 million.But, that's led to...
A woman who attacked her sister-in-law at a family gathering in Deal has avoided being sent to prison.A court was told the defendant had drunk prosecco and half a bottle of Baileys before punching and kicking her victim on Boxing Day in 2021.Also in today's podcast, investigations are continuing following a huge fire at a listed house near Maidstone.At its height, 50 firefighters were tackling the blaze in Hunton after it broke out on Friday night. We've spoken to one of the residents.From today, parents dropping off their children to schools in parts of Medway will face a fine if they driv...
Podcast: Campaigners angry after plans for surf lagoon and hotel at country park were given go-ahead
Controversial plans for a surfing lagoon and accommodation at a Kent country park have been given the go-ahead.Campaigners say the development at Betteshanger will cause damage to rare plants and animals that live on the site.Ahead of a crackdown on vehicles outside schools in Medway, a Chatham mum has hit out at not being given an exemption permit.The School Streets scheme will ban cars from certain roads near primary schools during drop-off and pick-up times from Monday.The parents of a seven-year-old girl who died trying to cross the Channel to Kent say people smugglers do not see them '...
A Rochester teenager has had life-saving surgery after suffering a stroke.18-year-old Rhys Foskett had to be put in an induced coma after collapsing last month, and is now having to learn to walk and talk again.The human rights watchdog says efforts to tackle violence by police against women and girls require "urgent improvement".Last week an inquiry found Sarah Everard's killer Wayne Couzens, from Deal, should never have allowed to serve as an officer.An independent inquiry is underway into the deaths of at least 27 people in the Channel.They lost their lives attempting to cross from Franc...
There are calls for younger children to be better educated on the danger of knives after an eight-year-old boy was threatened in Margate.He was in the canteen at Cliftonville Primary School when another pupil held a piece of cutlery to his throat.Campaigners have been reacting to the Chancellor's Budget after he set out the government's spending plans.Jeremy Hunt announced a 2p cut to National Insurance, a new tax on vapes and a freeze on fuel duty.It is feared it could cost millions of pounds to clean up waste from an illegal dumping scandal on Sheppey.Hundreds of lorry-loads of rubbish wa...