Episodes
A boat owner's told the podcast how he was left stranded after vandals stole his generator and damaged the vessel.Philip Tucker had moored the boat on the River Medway in Maidstone to visit a nearby beer festival.He's calling for more patrols in the area to improve safety and has been speaking to reporter Elli Hodgson.Also on today's podcast, figures seen by KentOnline show more than 3,500 children in Kent are living temporary accommodation.Dartford has the highest rate as one in every 58 youngsters doesn't have a permanent home according to data compiled by Shelter. Hear from Deborah Garvi...
A pub landlord could be stripped of his licence after a fight broke out in the wake of England’s Euro 2024 final defeat which left one punter with potentially life-changing injuries.The incident happened in the pub garden in Wainscott, but police say it wasn’t properly reported to them until the next day.Also in today’s podcast, a former Sturry pig farmer embroiled in a planning war after switching up his business without permission says he will defy council if it tries to shut him down.His retrospective application has been rejected, but he’s vowed to continue trading even if enforcement a...
A mum-of-two has refused to pay a large restaurant bill because she claimed there was a hair in her meal.The Maidstone woman has appeared in court for walking out of the Wagamama and leaving the £227 tab behind. Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a Dover refugee charity after the deaths of another eight people who were trying to cross the Channel to Kent. More than 1000 people made it to the UK over the weekend – taking the total for the year so far to more than 23,000. There’s been an outpouring of sadness in Walmer after a family run, independent garage closed after almost 100 yea...
A Folkestone teenager has died after falling onto a railway line during a night out.Tom Watson, who was 18, had been out with friends last Thursday and is understood to have accidentally fallen onto the tracks at Canterbury East Station.Also in today's podcast, £6 million pound plans to build a new sea cadets base on Sheppey have been scrapped.Bosses at the site in Minster had been hoping to demolish their current buildings and replace them with two new blocks. Reporter Joe Crossley has been along to have a look.A Kent wildlife charity has joined forces with specialists in Surrey to get an ...
It’s been revealed a driver who’d taken cocaine hours before getting behind the wheel lost control of his vehicle before a fatal crash. Tommy Dunn also wasn't wearing his seatbelt and was using his phone moments before swerving into oncoming traffic.Also in today’s podcast, a Kent MP is calling on the Mayor of London to extend his plans to offer concessions for the Silvertown Tunnel to include people living in Kent There are a proposal to offer a discount for people in the London boroughs near the tunnel while ignoring those who live south of the River Thames. Work has started on the infill...
A woman's revealed she felt 'physically sick' after being told her abusive ex-boyfriend from Tonbridge is being released early from prison.32-year-old warehouse worker Jack Poore from Hadlow was jailed for 35 months last year - but is due out as part of government plans to free-up space in jails.Natasha Brine has moved away from the county, but has been telling reporter Liane Castle how victim's aren't being considered.Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP says she feels ashamed of her party after plans to cut winter fuel payments passed through Parliament.Only the poorest pensioners will now ...
A Kent woman who suffered months of domestic abuse at the hands of her boyfriend is urging other victims to speak out.Josephine Bell from Faversham says her partner cut her off from her family and friends.The 22-year-old has been speaking to reporter James Pallant.Also on today's podcast, the Prime Minister's facing a rebellion in the Commons today over proposed changes to winter fuel payments.Millions of pensioners looks to lose the £300, but Sir Keir Starmer says it's necessary to stabilise the economy. We've been hearing from the Dartford MP.A Margate mum whose teenage son took his own l...
Several families have been moved into temporary accommodation after the flats where they lived in Thanet were condemned.Water got into the electrics of the block in Cliftonville when heavy rain poured through the roof during renovations.Also in today’s episode, protesters have set up a blockade outside a Kent factory that's accused of sending weapons to Israel.Palestine Action blocked all roads leading into the Instro Precision site at the Discovery Park in Sandwich and covered the building in red paint.A road in Swanscombe has been closed after three new sinkholes opened up in the space of...
A police investigation is underway after two bodies were discovered on two different railway tracks in Kent. The first victim was found near the Port of Dover just before 2am, the second near Canterbury East just after 9am. Also in today’s podcast, a corner shop is having its licence reviewed after a staff member was accused of hitting an alleged shoplifter with a metal pole and barricading them inside.It's not the first run in police have had with the store in Dartford - officers say the owner has shown a lack of responsibility in running the shop. It's been a grim night for developers beh...
More than 100 people have signed a petition calling for a Kent school to take down a gate that stops students using a toilet block during class time. It's reportedly made children at Herne Bay High feel like they're "in prison" while parents have described the move as "bureaucratic madness".Also in today’s podcast, residents of a block of flats in Maidstone say they're being punished for the actions of mavericks who fail to recycle properly. All of the bins outside the complex were rejected by refuse workers last week and are now overflowing with rubbish. You can also hear from a man who li...
The boss of a shop in Dover has blamed new EU border rules for the closure of his store - just months after another trader quit for the same reason.He’s told the podcast repeated delays mean customers already struggle to reach his business because of long queues blocking the roads and it will only get worse when new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks come into force in November. Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a leading asylum charity who says more people will die in the Channel unless safe routes are set up. It follows the death of at least 13 people who lost their lives when a smal...
There are fears a swimming ban could be introduced in part of Kent following a rise in unsafe levels of bacteria in the sea.Reporter Oliver Leonard has been investigating this story and joins the podcast to go through the details.Also on today's podcast, a Kent mum says she's considering legal action over planned changes to council disability payments.Bernadette John's 29-year-old son Nathan lives in supported accommodation which is funded by Kent County Council.At the moment he contributes £10 pounds a week, but that's set to increase to £46. Bernadette has been describing what impact it'l...
A mystery buyer has snapped up plots of land in Medway, leading to fears it'll affect resident's privacy and the value of their homes.The plots of land vary in size from less the an acre to more than seven acres, and some are within feet of people's properties.Also in today's podcast, a man's been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman in her 80s was stabbed to death near Tunbridge Wells.Police were called to a disturbance in Bright Ridge in Southborough on Saturday night.The prisons watchdog says HMP Rochester needs urgent improvement after a decade of decline resulting in a "shocki...
The owner of cafe that opened just weeks ago in Folkestone say it might have to shut already due to a lack of customers.It comes as traders in the town, recently named the best place to live in the south east, say while the much-hyped harbour area is bustling, parts of the town centre are struggling.Also in today’s podcast, a controversial 450-home application on farmland in Medway has been given the go-ahead.The KentOnline Podcast has heard from the Chatham and Aylesford MP says lack of a local plan forced the committee’s approval of the Gibraltar Farm development, despite more than 700 ob...
A town centre shop has been hit with its second zero-star hygiene rating in less than a year after inspectors uncovered blood-soaked floors.The business in Ashford received another damning report highlighting a catalogue of failures including poor hygiene practices, damaged equipment and mould.Also in today’s podcast, a pensioner with a fetish for listening to women urinate claimed he was “desperate” from a stomach upset when caught using ladies’ cubicles.The 67-year-old was busted in Herne Bay om June this year, when he was subject to a court order banning him from "lingering, waiting and ...
A teacher who paid £2.50 to park at a country park is being threatened with court action from debt collectors.The operators of the car park at Lullingstone Country Park say he didn't have a valid ticket and are chasing him for payment of a £140 fine. Also in today’s podcast, a cannabis smoker spotted driving slowly along a village road claimed she was trying to avoid a large bird after being pulled over by police. The 40-year-old also admitted to officers she had cannabis in the car. Administrators of a former leisure centre say building homes on the site cannot be ruled out - as the commun...
Furious residents say their estate near Ashford still smells like “rotten eggs” - despite a water company spending £4.3 million upgrading a nearby sewage works.Some say the foul stench still stops them from opening windows in the summer, while others even have to stop their children from playing outside.Also in today’s podcast, a cash-strapped garden centre is set for a £3 million overhaul complete with a larger restaurant in a bid to attract more customers.The owner says he’s struggling to make a profit at the “outdated” site in Folkestone. A shopper says she was left “disgusted” after dis...
Canterbury residents say “disrespectful” tourists eager to take the perfect photograph next to an Instagram hotspot are trashing public flowerbeds.Set alongside the River Stour, Westgate Gardens is one of the most visited parts of the city, but the near-constant crowds have taken a heavy toll. Also in today’s podcast, a decorator who grabbed a child’s face and kissed her on the lips while dancing at Kent’s largest LGBTQ+ pride festival has avoided jail.The 39-year-old forced himself upon the 13-year-old girl without knowing her age. A Southeastern train has suffered “significant damage” aft...
Body worn cameras have captured the moment police stopped, tasered and arrested a drug-fuelled driver who was ramming through stationary traffic on the A2. He caused “absolute mayhem” when police chased him from the M2 at Medway to Gravesend in a stolen high-value Jaguar.Also in today’s podcast, bosses of a ‘gorgeous’ garden centre near Wingham which ‘offers solace’ have announced a shock closure.A sign has been posted on the gates saying this will be the last week of trading – it’s prompted an outpouring of heartfelt messages. Good news for foodies, a new M&S food store and BP service stat...
A pub boss in Strood says “mindless” teenagers could have killed someone after starting a fire that quickly spread through his beer garden.The three boys were caught on CCTV setting furniture alight – with the bill for damages reaching £5000.Also in today’s podcast, a village near Ashford is divided over what to do with an abandoned plot of land which could be turned into either a traveller site or a car park. The family lodged an application to make it their permanent home, but a rival bid could see their dreams dashed. Plans for an 800-home estate that will double a village’s population h...
A young boy cried “Mummy, I’m scared” as they hid from her knife-wielding boyfriend as he chillingly warned: “I’m going to get you!”The pair cowered in dark alleyways and behind cars after the bare-chested man chased them out into the street from her home in Deal.Also in today’s podcast, there’s confusion among local leaders as a former prison in Kent is sitting abandoned and empty despite the current overcrowding crisis. Blantyre House closed in 2016 for refurbishment but never reopened – but the government say they have “no plans” to bring it back into use. Britain's oldest rollercoaster,...
A Kent council has been accused of “raking it in” at the expense of local businesses and residents after hiking charges in a village car park by close to 600%.Revenue generated by the site in Herne has almost doubled since the daily tariff rocketed from £2.20 to £15 in April.Also in today’s podcast, a 20-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman was stabbed to death in Dartford. Emergency services were called to a property in Henderson Drive on Saturday morning after concerns for a person’s welfare and found the victim with multiple stab injuries.Motorists with cars damaged by...
Plans to turn a Kent pub run by the the wife of celebrity baker Paul Hollywood into a home have been approved.The proposals for The Chequers Inn in Smarden were given the green light at a council meeting, despite opposition from residents.Also in today's podcast, Kent Police is being accused of failing to properly investigate abuse at a former children's home on Romney Marsh.Youngsters were allegedly subjected to daily violence at the Sandyridge site, run by Denis and Anne May.They were arrested in 1996 - but were never charged and have since died.A family have been forced to move to anothe...
Three parking bays in a Kent seaside town have gone up for sale for 150-thousand pounds.People living in Whitstable say trying to find a space is almost 'impossible' - and they sometimes have to leave their cars a mile away.Also in today's podcast, a pilot has been taken to hospital after crashing near to an airport in Kent.A four seater Piper PA-28 came down in woodland on Rochester Road between the Bridgewood Roundabout and Laker Road in Medway yesterday afternoon.Sixth form students across Kent have been receiving their A-Level results today.We've been along to Thomas Aveline School in R...
A former Michelin-star restaurant in Faversham is closing after 47 years.Reads is based in Macknade Manor off Canterbury Road and its won numerous accolades during the timeRona and David Pitchford have been the owners.Also on today's podcast, a violent burglary at a home in Sevenoaks is being linked to the so-called 'night watcher'.A woman was attacked and £1.8 million worth of jewellery was taken from a property near Wildernesse Golf Club in broad daylight in June.50 items were stolen including rings, watches and pendants. We've been speaking to Crimestoppers who've issued a reward.There's...
A Kent mum and her two young sons have to sleep in their living room because rats have infested the upstairs bedrooms and loft.Ebonie Evans has told the KentOnline Podcast how the vermin have “destroyed everything” at the house near Folkestone, including her £200 trainers.Also in today’s podcast, drivers say they’re facing "absolute mayhem" at a controversial new junction as traffic lights have failed four times in as many months.Contractors spent more than a year ripping out a roundabout in Ashford and replacing it – but angry motorists say it is “lucky nobody has been killed”. An amphibia...
It has been revealed 12-hour corridor waits at East Kent Hospitals are now the third worst in England.Figures show the trust that runs A&E departments in Margate and Ashford is struggling with the persistent strain on its services.A man in his 40s has died in a house fire in Faversham.There was a huge emergency response when the blaze broke out on Salters Lane in the early hours of Saturday.A charity worker from Herne Bay says she has been assaulted by people who were accusing her of being a 'dirty immigrant'.Maya runs a community support centre and free shop in the town, and has also been ...
A woman's calling for answers after some of her mum's jewellery went missing after she passed away at a Kent hospital.Iris Phillips died at Darent Valley in Dartford in April following a fall. At the time she was wearing a bracelet, watch and six rings on two fingers - but only three rings were returned.Her daughter Anne has been speaking to reporter Keely Greenwood.Also in today's podcast, a Kent nurse who slept during shifts and sometimes failed to respond to patient alarms has avoided being struck off.They used to work at the William Harvey hospital in Ashford and Margate's QEQM.This wee...
Thousands of people in Kent and the rest of England have joined counter-demonstrations against anti-immigration protests.Riot police were on standby in Dover, Canterbury and Medway last night.Hear from reporter Abby Hook who was at the Innovation Centre in Chatham where people gathered. She also spoke to some anti-racism demonstrators .Also in today's podcast, more animals have been attacked with weapons in Kent than any other part of England and Wales.Data given to KentOnline shows more than 60 reports have been made in the county in the last four years.You could be fined if you're heard s...
A mum and her young daughter have been injured after a teacup became detached from a ride at Dreamland.Kate Davies was visiting the Margate theme park with three year-old Poppy when it happened last Wednesday. We've had a statement from the theme park.Also in today's podcast, police say they're 'well prepared' to respond to any potential protests in Kent.It's as reports on socials suggest far-right groups plan to gather at three sites in the county - although we've decided not to share those details.Hear from Neil Mennie who heads up the Kent Police Federation and has been explaining how of...