KentOnline
The top stories from the KentOnline news team
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Episodes
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Podcast: Explosions heard as fire rips through Matts Hill Farm industrial estate, Hartlip, near Sittingbourne
Friday, 20 March 2026
A huge fire has engulfed several vehicles and industrial buildings after breaking out near Sittingbourne late last night. Fire crews were called to Matts Hill Farm shortly after people reported hearing loud explosions. Also in today’s podcast, the father of an 18-year-old girl who died during the Kent meningitis outbreak has described his family’s devastation as “immeasurable” as they call for urgent changes to vaccine access. Juliette Kenny, a Year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, died on Saturday - less than 24 hours after first falling ill. Opposition parties ha...
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Podcast: HMP Swaleside on Sheppey named 'worst prison in country' as damning report highlights violence and drug issues
Thursday, 19 March 2026
Coming up in today's episode, the KentOnline Podcast has been told a jail in Kent is one of the worst in the country. An inspection of HMP Swaleside on Sheppey, found incidents of violence and drug supply were high. Concerns have also been raised about the risk to the public, with the site failing as a training and rehabilitation facility. But first, there's been another increase in the number of cases of meningitis in Kent following a deadly outbreak. Health experts say 15 are confirmed and 12 are being investigated - bringing the total to 27. Two young people have died and others are bein...
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Podcast: Herne Bay mum speaks of shock as daughter, who lives in Canterbury, is treated in hospital for meningitis following deadly outbreak
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
The number of cases of meningitis in Kent has risen to 20. Medics say six are confirmed to be group B meningococcal disease - or MenB. Meantime, a mum has spoken of her shock after her daughter became ill and ended up in hospital. 21-year-old Keeleigh Goodwin lives in a house share in the Wincheap part of Canterbury and started to feel unwell over the weekend. The outbreak is being linked to three events at Club Chemistry in the city and anyone who went there is being urged to get antibiotics as a precaution. So far, 2,500 doses of antibiotics have been handed out at four clinics in the cou...
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Podcast: MenB confirmed as deadly strain of meningitis linked to Club Chemistry in Canterbury following deaths of two young people
Tuesday, 17 March 2026
The family of a teenager from Faversham who died after contracting meningitis say they're 'beyond devastated'. 18-year-old Juliette Kenney was in the sixth form at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School. A student from the University of Kent has also died, while other young people remain in hospital. The UK health security agency has confirmed Meningitis B is the strain behind the outbreak. Babies have been vaccinated against it since 2015, but older students aren't protected unless they've had the jab. Also in today's podcast, the multi-million pound rebuild of a school near Sittingbourne has be...
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Podcast: University of Kent student and Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School pupil die in meningitis outbreak in Canterbury
Monday, 16 March 2026
Two young people have died following a meningitis outbreak in Canterbury. One was studying at the University of Kent in the city while the other was in the sixth form at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham. Several other young people, who are believed to be Uni students, are understood to be in hospital. Hear from our reporter Max Chesson who has been at the campus. We've also been speaking to a leading GP about how contagious the infection is. Also in today's podcast, figures seen by KentOnline show more than 2700 households in Kent are living in temporary accommodation. That inc...
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Podcast: Family pays tribute to Ammber Fenn, from Rochester, who died in car crash on A249 near Sheppey Crossing
Friday, 13 March 2026
Tributes have been paid to a “fiercely loyal” and “always smiling” big sister who died in a crash. Ammber Fenn was driving her car towards Sittingbourne on the A249, near Sheppey Crossing, when it collided with a BMW on January 30. Also in today’s podcast, a leading expert has been asked to help with a project to tackle health inequalities in Kent. The county council say it's one of their top priorities - after stats revealed people in some coastal areas have poorer health and a shorter life expectancy that those inland. We’ve got the details as it’s been revealed one of Kent’s MPs has decl...
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Podcast: South East Water says it can supply water to all the 19,000 new homes planned for Tonbridge and Malling
Thursday, 12 March 2026
House-building plans are in jeopardy as South East Water has warned that it has the capacity to supply water to only one third of all the new homes being planned. Bosses in Tonbridge and Malling are in the process of drawing up a new Local Plan which allocates land for more than 19,000 new homes across the borough by 2042 - expanding the borough’s population by over a third. Also in today’s podcast, the 999 call an e-bike rider made to the emergency services after striking a 91-year-old as he put the rubbish out has been released. Clifford Cage has become the first cyclist in British legal ...
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Podcast: Plans for 725 new homes would "double the population" of Meopham as campaigners say it's "beyond comprehension"
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Campaigners have branded plans to build 725 homes in their village as “beyond comprehension”, claiming it would double the population. The outline planning application for a mixed-use neighbourhood in Meopham would be 50% affordable and targeted at first-time buyers and downsizers. Also in today’s podcast, a controversial massive housing development backed by Prince William has been given the green light despite claims it would be an “eyesore” and a “Trojan Horse” for even more homes. After hours of debate in a council meeting last night, the 2,500-home estate on the southeast edge of Faver...
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Podcast: Two planning applications emerge for Traveller sites on land off White Post Lane in Sole Street as families "just need a place to live"
Tuesday, 10 March 2026
New proposals to create two Traveller sites have been submitted just weeks after legal action started because several mobile homes had been stationed without permission. It follows several ongoing planning disputes over the use of the farmland near Gravesend in the past three years. Also in today’s podcast, dramatic police footage has emerged showing a fleeing thief leaping from a second-floor window to avoid being arrested. When officers tried to arrest Bobby Thorpe, he refused them entry to the Tonbridge property, and they forced their way inside. A campaign started in Kent calling for t...
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Podcast: Drunken Sittingbourne man violently attacked Travel Masters school bus full of children after being refused a lift home by the driver
Monday, 9 March 2026
A Sittingbourne man’s avoided jail after becoming violent and punching the windscreen of a packed school bus when he was denied entry by the driver. He was “extremely intoxicated” at the time and demanded to be let on board while the vehicle had been stopped in traffic. Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a Kent charity who say they've had a record year for the amount of surplus food they've redistributed. FareShare collects products from supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste - bosses say they’ve hit targets they haven’t seen since the pandemic. Parts of a former Debenhams...
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Podcast: Snodland man speaks about road rage attack near roundabout on A249 in Maidstone that left his arm broken
Friday, 6 March 2026
A Snodland man has spoken of the moment he suffered a broken arm during a road rage attack in Maidstone. Phil Webster had been approaching a roundabout on the A249 when he says he was cut up by another vehicle. Also in today's podcast, more than 40 people have been arrested as Kent Police crack down on fraud. Officers have been targeting suspected criminals who defraud others through romance scams, unnecessary building repairs and postal scams. Campaigners have welcomed news that a merger of two private schools in Kent has been put on hold. St Lawrence College in Ramsgate announced last wee...
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Podcast: Firefighters battle blaze at derelict Swanton House in Elwick Road, Ashford
Thursday, 5 March 2026
Firefighters have been tackling a blaze in a derelict building next to Ashford College. Huge plumes of smoke were seen coming from Swanton House in Elwick Road yesterday evening. Hear from our reporter Max Chesson who has been to the scene. Also in today's episode, a document detailing where 23,000 homes could be built in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay will be debated by councillors for the first time tonight. It's known as a Local Plan and also sets out where things like roads will need to be constructed to support new developments and growing populations. Our local democracy report...
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Podcast: Work to fix 'rollercoaster' A299 Thanet Way to start this summer
Wednesday, 4 March 2026
It's been confirmed work to fix a stretch of the Thanet Way will start this summer. The A299 between the Dargate Services and Roman Galley pub has been reduced to 50 miles per hour since last September after bumps appeared in the surface. The county council say repairs will be carried out over six weeks from June 1st. Also in today's podcast, police have released footage of the moment they found a burglar hiding in the loft of a house in Ashford. Antony Allen, 47, who doesn't have a permanent address, had targeted a home in the town at Christmas while the owners were away. As the conflict i...
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Podcast: Tunbridge Wells dad living in Abu Dhabi speaks about seeing missiles intercepted as a conflict in the Middle East continues
Tuesday, 3 March 2026
A Kent dad who lives in Abu Dhabi has told the podcast about the moment he was alerted to potential missile strikes. Justin Cooke received a message on his phone shortly before seeing puffs of smoke in the sky as the missiles were intercepted. The retaliatory strikes on Saturday followed an attack by America and Israel on Iran which killed the country's leader. Also in today's episode, the head of the Met Police says he's fiercely committed to restoring trust, five years on from the murder of Sarah Everard. The 33-year-old was abducted in Clapham by then serving officer Wayne Couzens from D...
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Podcast: Traders in Sheerness High Street say they are 'fighting a losing battle' after a number of small businesses closed
Monday, 2 March 2026
Traders in Sheerness High Street say they're fighting a losing battle to keep their shopping promenade alive after the closure of several small businesses. Black Cat hardware closed on Valentine's Day with the owner telling customers it was no longer feasible to keep it open due to a drop in footfall. It follows other independents who have shut in recent months and our reporter has been getting reaction from Declan Forley who runs Sheerness Mobility Ltd with his dad. Also in today's podcast, the foreign secretary says they're working to bring home tens of thousands of British nationals stra...
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Podcast: Family pays tribute to ‘inspiring’ restaurant manager at Fish at 55 in Rochester High Street taken 'far too young'
Friday, 27 February 2026
Friends and family have paid tribute to a popular restaurant manager – saying the “inspiring” young woman died “far too young”. Charlotte Redsell was a much-loved and well respected boss at Fish 55 in Rochester but the community was rocked by her death last October at the age of just 26. Also in today’s podcast, a killer captured on CCTV shouting "I've got a nice surprise for you" as he swung a machete-style blade at his victim before chasing him to his death has been jailed for 16 years. Chris Maclean could also be heard yelling "Game over" after the pursuit of Jay Gerrett in Sittingbour...
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Podcast: The Canterbury Tales attraction telling Chaucer’s much-loved stories has been revived using the latest technology
Thursday, 26 February 2026
One of Kent’s most popular visitor attractions has been revived, with its new bosses promising a spectacular, immersive experience. It follows a million-pound makeover of The Canterbury Tales - which tells Geoffrey Chaucer's much-loved stories of a medieval cast of pilgrims on their journey from London to Canterbury Cathedral. Also in today’s podcast, we’ve spoken to a Kent homelessness charity as new figures show there's been a rise in the number of people sleeping rough on our streets. A government snapshot shows 174 were counted on a single night last autumn – that’s an increase of 17%. ...
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Podcast: Grandmother told by Ashford Borough Council she can't return to her home of 25 years after devastating fire
Wednesday, 25 February 2026
A grandmother of 12 has been left heartbroken after a council confirmed she cannot return to her home of more than 25 years following a devastating fire. The blaze ripped through her three-bedroom house in South Ashford last month and she was initially told she would be able to return once repairs to the council-owned property had been completed. Also in today’s podcast, the KentOnline Podcast has been told the Port of Dover will be ready for the full rollout of new border checks for passengers heading to the EU. From the 10th of April, everyone travelling through to mainland Europe will ha...
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Podcast: Swimmers concerned about increase in sewage discharges at Hythe following heavy rainfall this winter
Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Swimmers say they are anxious about going in the sea at Hythe because of the amount of sewage being discharged into the water. The group regularly travel from Ashford to swim at sunrise, but say they've seen an increasing number of floating objects. Hear from one of the group, and we've had a response from Southern Water. Also in today's podcast, a Kent campaigner's told us she has some concerns over the government's plans to reform the special educational needs system. Yesterday, they announced a £4 billion package and say more youngsters with SEN will be taught in mainstream schools by of...
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Podcast: New big name store could join the like of M&S, Dunelm and The Range at Sittingbourne Retail Park
Monday, 23 February 2026
Plans have been put in to add another shop to the retail park in Sittingbourne. The owners want to convert an area of land that's currently used for parking between Carpet Right and Dunelm at the site in Mill Way. Hear from reporter Alex Langridge who has been covering the story. Also on today's episode, a Sheppey woman who lost her dad to cancer is calling on peers not to stand in the way of the assisted dying bill. MPs voted it through last June with a narrow majority. It's now being debated in the House of Lords, but faces more than 1,000 amendments. Claire Blythe's dad Thomas passed awa...
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Podcast: Wayfield Primary School in Chatham placed in special measures following 'shocking' Ofsted report
Friday, 20 February 2026
A school in Chatham has been placed in special measures by inspectors who found staff physically intervened with pupils. Ofsted found safeguarding measures at Wayfield Primary were not being met, and demanded urgent improvements be implemented. School bosses and the trust running it, say they take the report very seriously and have already been implementing a robust programme of improvement. Also in today's podcast, a father and son accused of murdering a four-year-old boy in a hit-and-run in Southfleet have been found not guilty. Peter Maughan was in a Ford Ranger which was "clipped at spe...
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Podcast: Dartford man jailed after violent assault on Whitstable mum with boiling sugar water and hammer
Thursday, 19 February 2026
A good Samaritan has told of the terrifying moment boiling sugar water was poured over her as she lay in bed. What started as a decent deed from the Whitstable mum ended with a horror attack, which also saw her hit around the head with a hammer. Also in today’s podcast, the Folkestone son of a woman who was arrested with her partner in Iran on charges of espionage has confirmed they’ve been jailed for 10 years. Lindsay and Craig Foreman were detained in January 2025 while travelling through the country on a motorcycle journey. Frustrated residents have joined forces to demand the return of ...
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Podcast: Leeds Castle announces shock end to its annual open-air classical concert after more than 40 years
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
One of the county’s biggest classical concerts is ending after more than 40 years.It’s been announced the annual Leeds Castle Classical Concert, which has been running since 1978, will no longer continue after this year. Also in today’s podcast, youths on e-bikes and e-scooters gathering in the car park of a leisure centre at night have been accused of intimidating residents.Community leaders now want to reassure people that the police and council are cracking down on the anti-social behaviour reported at Cozenton Park Sports Centre in Rainham. Reform UK councillors who were booted out of t...
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Podcast: Misconduct panel finds former Tonbridge School, Skinners’ School and Maidstone Grammar School teacher acted inappropriately with pupils.
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
A misconduct panel has heard a teacher touched pupils’ legs and encouraged them to recite sexually suggestive song lyrics. He was investigated for serious professional misconduct following complaints about his behaviour during one-to-one sessions and small group training exercises.Also in today’s podcast, a detective leading an investigation into the death of a man killed near a Kent beach says the “sad” case has ruined multiple lives.A 16-year-old girl and two boys, aged 16 and 15, were cleared by a jury after being accused of murdering Alexander Cashford in Leysdown last year.Bosses in Ma...
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Podcast: Folkestone man warns ‘black oil scam’ has come to Kent as conmen posing as buyers sabotage his Mercedes
Monday, 16 February 2026
A driver has issued an urgent warning to Kent residents selling vehicles online after ruthless “black oil” scammers sabotaged his car.The Folkestone man says conmen posing as buyers distracted him while secretly pouring oil on the engine of his Mercedes in a calculated bid to convince him it was worthless.Also in today’s podcast, an inquest has heard a much-loved dad died after being crushed by a concrete drain at the construction site he was working on. Joe Heath was helping build a new logistics centre for COOK Classic in the Eurolink Industrial Estate in Sittingbourne when his death occu...
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Podcast: Rochester man detained in psychiatric hospital after stabbing Lt Col Mark Teeton near Brompton Barracks
Friday, 13 February 2026
A schizophrenic man who repeatedly stabbed a soldier in a “vicious, deliberate attack” has been handed a life sentence.The Rochester man tried to kill Lt Col Mark Teeton near Brompton Barracks in July 2024, after his mental health deteriorated and he started to have “murderous fantasies.”Also in today’s podcast, the Reform UK Kent County Council budget passed amid warnings from the opposition and a senior officer about its risks.It went through by 48 votes to 26, with one abstention, to applause, whistles and a standing ovation after a meeting lasting eight hours.There'll be no road access ...
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Podcast: Vespa rider left unconscious in road after hit-and-run at Whitfield roundabout near Dover
Thursday, 12 February 2026
A Dover man involved in a hit-and-run while driving without a licence has avoided being sent to prison .24 year-old Tyler Keyes from St Radiguns Road was driving his girlfriend's BMW when he collided with a moped at the Whitfield roundabout last June, leaving the rider unconscious.Also in today's podcast, a meeting is taking place at County Hall to discuss KCC's budget for the next financial year.It's Reform UK's first in charge of the authority and leader Linden Kemkaran has previously said the council is focused on delivering savings for residents. Hear from our local democracy reporter S...
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Podcast: The underpass near Asda in Ashford that’s flooded so often it’s even got its own Facebook page
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
A Kent underpass leading to an Asda store is flooded so often it now has its own Facebook page - and council bosses admit there is no fix.The subway in Ashford regularly becomes impassable after heavy rain, leaving pedestrians stranded – you can hear from a KentOnline reporter who went down to take a look for himself. Also in today's podcast, a young couple have been banned from keeping animals after they effectively left their dog to starve to death.The failed to properly feed their greyhound cross, Rocky, despite being given vouchers by an animal charity to buy dog food.A court has heard ...
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Podcast: Driver reportedly attacked by motorist after suffering seizure at the wheel and crashing his car in Gravesend
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
A driver has been treated in hospital after suffering a seizure at the wheel and crashing into a tree, before reportedly being dragged from his vehicle and attacked.Pictures at KentOnline show injuries suffered by Louie Watkins after it happened when he drove along New Barn Road towards Gravesend. Hear from reporter Brad Harper who has been covering the story.Also on today's podcast, a Kent MP's among those supporting the Prime Minister, as he insists he's not going anywhere.Sir Keir Starmer survived a difficult day yesterday after the Lord Mandelson scandal led to calls for his resignation...
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Podcast: Residents left frustrated as three roads in Faversham won't get full-fibre broadband from Openreach
Monday, 9 February 2026
A Faversham dad is demanding answers after his street was one of the only ones not to be upgraded to full-fibre broadband.Harry Mustoe-Playfair lives on Beech Close and says he's limited to Fibre to the Cabinet, which is an increasingly outdated technology.The fabric printing business owner and his wife both work from home, making fast and reliable internet essential. Harry's been telling the podcast how he feels left in the dark-ages.Also in today's podcast, people living in shared ownership flats in Tunbridge Wells have been told they'll have to pay thousands of pounds for safety work on ...
