Episodes
It has emerged the debt-ridden University of Kent has splashed out £20,000 on a canopy just weeks after it was revealed it is paying £7,000 a month for an empty bar.Students at the Medway campus have been left unimpressed with the newly-built shelter - labelling it “worthless” and a “waste of money”.Also in today’s podcast, there’s been an update on investigations into a fatal shooting which happened outside a village pub on Valentine’s Day. You can hear from Kent Police who say the body of the man suspected of carrying out the attack has been seen in the water.The terrifying moment a maske...
A 39-year-old dad-of-four has been given the “crushing” news he has just 18 months to live as the cancer he hoped he had defeated has returned and spread.The Kent community has rallied to support Matt Jones following the devastating diagnosis, which has left him fearing his youngest children will “not even remember me when I’m gone”.Also in today’s podcast, investigators have given an update following the shooting murder of a woman in Knockholt on Valentine’s Day.Lisa Smith was gunned down outside a pub and police now believe her attacker has also died.Villagers have been left stunned after...
A trial has heard a Canterbury woman fatally stabbed her estranged husband repeatedly in the chest and through the heart, before storing his body - dressed in his underwear - in a cupboard in her bedroom.The discovery of the 65-year-old's remains was made on July 11 last year after a police officer investigating his disappearance and experienced in homicide enquiries recognised a distinctive "sickly smell" emanating from foliage.Also in today’s podcast, reports of anti-social behaviour have dropped across Kent, but is still an issue for some towns.You can hear from a business owner in Thane...
A dad who's been described as a 'true gentleman' has died in a house fire in Canterbury.Ian Jameson and his two dogs were discovered at the property in Hersden on Friday night, now a fundraiser has been set up to support his family.Also in today's podcast, CCTV from near to where a woman was shot outside a Kent pub on Valentine's Day has emerged.43 year-old Lisa Smith from Slough suffered fatal injuries near the Three Horseshoes in Knockholt last Friday night.Figures show Kent Police have recorded more than 1,600 cases of child sex abuse images in the space of a year.That's more than 4 ever...
A community has spoken of their shock after a Valentine's Day shooting outside a Kent pub.Police and paramedics had been called to the Three Horseshoes in Knockholt at around 7pm on Friday. A woman in her 40s had been seriously injured and died at the scene.Also in today's podcast, there's been a backlash over plans to build 450-homes on a flood zone in Edenbridge.A revised application for the site in Four Elms Road also includes a secondary school, scout hut and youth centre. A Kent influencer who socials about life with two autistic children has revealed her own autism diagnosis.Lisa Lloy...
New figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show almost 3,000 patients were left waiting more than 12 hours for a bed at a Kent hospital in January.Three out of four trusts covering the county recorded their worst-ever emergency figures last month. In 2020 the figure for a long wait was just five patients.Also in today's episode, the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey has spoken about his experience with HIV during a debate in parliament.Kevin McKenna says the diagnosis and treatment of HIV and AIDS has changed since he was diagnosed 20 years ago.We're told work to create a new health hub in T...
First today we hear from the dad of a Harrietsham woman who died in her sleep just hours after an ambulance was stood down while on its way to her home.Mum of two Karen Ovenell had called 999 after suffering sharp chest pains in August last year.An inquest into the 43-year-old's death has heard how the initial call handler booked an ambulance - but Karen was then told to sleep and book a GP appointment the following day or go to A&E.Also in today's podcast, members of Kent County Council are meeting to vote on their draft budget for the next financial year.In order to balance the books, bos...
A drunk mum who broke her friend’s eye socket in a vicious nightclub attack has been spared jail after her victim told a judge: “I don’t want her to go to prison, she’s pregnant.”Nadine Telfer, who is due to give birth in two weeks, faced a spell behind bars after dragging another woman to the floor by her hair and punching her in the face. Also in today’s podcast, a popular Kent school fitness and activity coach has been horrifically injured after being hit by a scooter while jogging on holiday.He suffered a shattered leg, ruptured artery and deep muscle laceration in the accident in Goa, ...
A landlady has described how her village pub “shook visibly” as a juggernaut smashed into the building twice after getting stuck in a road closure.Villagers watched in dismay as the driver, who was trying to turn the vehicle round, backed into the function room. Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from the boss of Medway Council ahead of a meeting today to discuss their spending plans for the next financial year.It could see a hike in parking charges and sports centre membership - with council tax also set to increase.Horrified guests have been left stunned at the state of the holiday let...
There are calls for something to be done about fines handed to drivers on a stretch of the A20 after a change in the speed limit.This dates back to October 2023 when a section of the road between Crittalls Corner in Sidcup and the Swanley Interchange was reduced from 70 and 50 miles per hour to 40.Also in today's podcast, a Broadstairs woman who was attacked while walking home from uni classes is calling for better support services for victims of street harassment.Daisy Foster had to be treated in hospital after being assaulted by a group of men in Birmingham in 2023.The KentOnline Podcast ...
A nurse who called black members of staff monkeys and sent a topless picture of himself in fishnet tights to a junior colleague has been struck-off.Details of Alan Prew's behaviour at Medway Maritime Hospital have been revealed at a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing.Also in today's podcast, volunteers looking after an ancient woodland near Maidstone say they're in desperate need of funding to continue to secure its future.Mangravat Wood in Loose was saved from a proposed Tesco development 25 years ago.Reform UK have won two seats on Medway Council after residents voted in by-elections.C...
Seven people involved in a construction industry fraud that cheated the tax office out of £22m have been jailed.The offenders - six men and one woman - were given sentences ranging from 27 months imprisonment up to nine years and four months. Also in today’s podcast, a devastated mum has warned of a “drug epidemic” in a Kent town after her son overdosed on ecstasy and died.The 16-year-old has taken the pills with a friend at home in Folkestone, and was found unresponsive the following morning.Kent has missed out being part of the government fast-tracked devolution programme.The sweeping cha...
A property management company has frozen the accounts of residents in Folkestone after complaints about an increase in service charges.Some people living on the new Shorncliffe Heights development have seen their fees double, with others being asked to pay hundreds more annually.The town's MP is backing their concerns and we've been getting reaction from Green party councillor Mike Blakemore.Also in today's podcast, a Maidstone man who stabbed a police officer with scissors is starting 30 years in prison.Robert Jenner, 50, attacked the PC who'd gone to his home in Albion Place with a collea...
Footage at KentOnline shows how drivers are getting stuck in a car park in Ashford, because the barrier won't go up.There have been complaints about the Elwick Place site with some motorists saying they've had to wait in 30 minute queues.We've had a statement from the council which owns the facility.Also in today's podcast, a Tunbridge Wells man who assaulted his partner in an unprovoked attack has been caught following a police chase through a river.The 34-year-old ran from officers while out on bail. They tracked him through woodland near Vauxhall Lane and later down a river, where he was...
A Folkestone man who charged at his girlfriend with a knife after she went to the cinema without him has been locked up.The court heard Wayne Burford, 44, of Foord Road South had previous convictions for crimes against his partner, including for controlling and coercive behaviour.Also in today's podcast, a man who caused the death of an 18-year-old woman in a crash in Canterbury has been jailed for six years.Footage from body-worn cameras shows Jack Cracknell telling police he was speeding at the time of the collision. If you live in Tonbridge, you're being asked what you think on redevelop...
A Kent mum whose daughter was hit by a driver on a zebra crossing has spoken to the podcast about her anger that he's been spared jail.11-year-old Dollie Giglia was knocked down on Tram Road in Folkestone in January last year. She suffered multiple fractures and a brain injury.Also in today's episode, five members of a crime group have been sentenced after police uncovered a cocaine network in Thanet.Footage at KentOnline shows the moment the ringleader was arrested at his home on Highfield Road in Ramsgate.Campaigners fighting to save two children's centres in Kent say they've won another ...
A Faversham woman who was caught stealing from her bosses, says she acted out of desperation after being hounded by bailiffs. Paula Gray, 61, of Lower Road stole more than £1,300 from solicitors David Simmonds and Donaghey in Gillingham after falling into debt following the death of her husband.Also in today's podcast, wildlife groups say there will continue to challenge the building of the Lower Thames Crossing, after the government gave the project its support.Rachel Reeves confirmed in a speech on growth yesterday they will be looking to the private sector to help fund the £9 billion roa...
The Chancellor's made a significant announcement on the future of a project to build another tunnel linking Kent and Essex.During a major speech on how to boost economic growth in the UK, Rachel Reeves backed the Lower Thames Crossing and revealed the government's looking at privately financing the £9 billion scheme.Also in today's podcast, the family of a woman found dead after going missing from Folkestone believe police may have missed opportunities to find her while she was still alive.Leah Daley was discovered at the Warren last May 12 days after she'd last been seen.A criminal gang li...
Video footage at KentOnline shows the moment other drivers intervened to stop a drunk driver on the M25.The 42-year-old from Maidstone was almost four times the limit when he was spotted at Leatherhead - and police discovered a bottle of Jack Daniels on the passenger seat.Also in today's podcast, the man in charge at the Port of Dover has revealed the EU's new Entry Exit system has been delayed, again.It'll use biometric data like finger prints and facial scans and was initially supposed to come in in 2022. The KentOnline Podcast understands a phased roll-out will happened from the end of t...
New figures seen by the Kent Online Podcast show there's been a significant drop in the number of children wanting to go to some schools in Kent after they received poor Ofsted reports.The figures highlight the impact a 'poor' grading given to a school by the watchdog can have on admission numbers.Also in today's podcast, three Kent men who were involved in a so-called 'clocking' scam involving second-hand cars and vans have avoided jail sentences.The group from Broadstairs and Chartham wiped two million miles off 23 vehicles before selling them online.Signs are going to be put up outside p...
A 20-year-old from Sheppey who died following complications caused by diabetes has been described by his family as 'wonderful, kind, creative and loving'.Jake Chapman from Minster suffered a cardiac event which is thought to have been caused by a lack of insulin.Also in today's podcast, a Dartford shop owner's spoken of his devastation after a lorry containing all of his stock went up in flames.Crews were called to the blaze near the Orchards Shopping Centre last Saturday night.A weather warning for strong wind is in force across Kent as Storm Eowyn hits.Forecasters are predicting gusts of ...
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for a dog to be returned to its Cranbrook owner after it was seized and declared a banned XL bully.Police took the animal away following an anonymous tip off, but owner Zakh Green adopted the pet believing it to be a mastiff cross.Also in today's podcast, a Marden man who tried to stop a child reporting the abuse they'd suffered has been jailed.Michael Numan, 58 from Seymour Drive, told his victim they were in a 'special relationship' after targeting them in April 2023.Bosses of a Kent gymnastics club fear they could be made homeless if ...
A warning letter's been sent out by a school in Margate as a number of pupils have fallen ill.There's been an outbreak of respiratory and gastrointestinal sickness at Hartsdown Academy.Also on today's podcast, plans for a major transformation of Folkestone harbour have been rejected.The shock decision came at a meeting last night with councillors on the planning committee raising concerns about the proposals for new homes and commercial units on the seafront.The ideas had been submitted by Sir Roger De Haan’s Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company.People living on an estate near ...
The idea of a multi-billion pound theme park in north Kent is officially over after the company behind it went into liquidation.We were told London Resort on the Swanscombe peninsula would attract millions of visitors and create thousands of jobs.But it faced several challenges, including from wildlife campaigners. We've been getting reaction from Buglife.Also in today's podcast, and in a rare move, a planning officer has stepped in to stop councillors rejecting plans for a 52 home estate in East Malling.The Tonbridge and Malling council committee were due to refuse the plans for Ivy Farm a...
A Thanet teenager is facing prison time after she threatened to kill her parents.18-year-old Zoe Dunn from Fairfield Road, Broadstairs, had only just been released from court on a suspended sentence for beating them up at their home in Thanet on January 6th.Ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, we've been hearing what his second presidency could mean for us here in Kent.Trump will be sworn into office - becoming the 47th President of the United States.From today, if you're driving around Medway you could be fined for breaking traffic rules at 17 locations across the Towns.ANPR cameras have...
A Tenterden family have been left with a hefty bill after vandals armed with a catapult smashed a window of their home.It happened at Matt Sendall-King's home in Rogersmead earlier this month. Hear from reporter Louis Walker who has been following the story.A Maidstone dad has been telling the KentOnline Podcast what it was like to find a World War Two hand grenade while magnet fishing with his son.Chris Homden and 10-year-old Leyton made the discovery in the River Medway at Aylesford and took it back to their home in Allington before realising what it was.There are concerns elderly and vul...
A secondary school in Maidstone has been unable to use its new £700k sports pitch – after falling foul of a ban on noise from referees’ whistles.Cornwallis Academy has a brand new 3G artificial grass pitch which it has been forbidden from using since August.Also in today’s podcast, there's been an increase in the number of reports of online child grooming in Kent. The NSPCC say 264 cases were recorded last year - we’ve spoken to Kent Police about what they’re doing, and what we can do, to keep children safe. The co-owner of a burger van says he was left “shocked” after it was broken into ju...
A disabled pensioner has had to abandon his housing association home for the over 55s after a large chunk of the ceiling in his living room collapsed.The KentOnline podcast has heard the disaster is only the latest in a long line of maintenance failures at his flat near Maidstone by his social housing landlord, Anchor Hanover Housing.Also in today’s podcast, a screw head, a throat pack and swabs are some of the 37 items reportedly left behind in patients after surgery at Kent’s hospitals.The new data reveals the number of clinical claims and incidents at the county’s hospitals relating to a...
Statistics seen by the KentOnline Podcast show five towns in Kent have topped a list of where property prices dropped in 2024.Broadstairs, Herne Bay, Westgate, Birchington and Deal experienced slumps in the cost of a house according to Zoopla. We've go some analysis from an estate agent in the county.Also in today's episode, a mum and her three daughters who fled to Kent from Colombia have been told their asylum claim has been rejected.Luisa Rodriguez came here in 2023 after receiving threats from a violent drugs cartel and shots were even fired at their home. The 37-year-old has been shari...
Podcast: Bigamist from Sheerness who married his step-daughter and fathered her children avoids jail
A “manipulative and controlling” bigamist who married his teenage step-daughter while still wed to her mother has been spared jail.In a bizarre and unusual case, Maidstone Crown Court heard how he’d “exploited and abused the trust” of his family for many years.Also in today’s podcast, specialist equipment has been brought in to help clear a motorway of debris after a lorry hit a bridge and jackknifed. It sparked long delays for motorists on the coastbound carriageway of the M20 after drivers were trapped behind the HGV. Business owners along part of the Kent coast say they are fearing for t...