KentOnline
The top stories from the KentOnline news team
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Episodes
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Podcast: Killer Andrew Griggs from Deal questions coroner during inquest into death of wife Debbie in 1999
Friday, 12 December 2025
A Deal man who murdered his pregnant wife more than 25-years ago has quizzed a coroner during an inquest into her death.Andrew Griggs reported 34-year-old Debbie missing from their home in Cross Road in 1999 - he was jailed for life in 2019.Our reporter Brad Harper was the only journalist at the inquest this week and is on the podcast.Also in today's episode, a Ramsgate woman has hit our at Wizz Air after a delay in compensation for being denied boarding a plane home from Bulgaria.The flight in September ran at a reduced capacity due to staff sickness.Vandalism at Swale's council offices ha...
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Podcast: Drivers told to "face the consequences" after being hit by fines 29 months after temporary speed limit brought in at Sheppey Crossing
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Thousands of motorists have been told they must “face the consequences” after a campaign was launched to overturn speeding fines on one of Kent’s busiest routes.Drivers have been ordered to pay £100 after police started enforcing a temporary 50mph limit on the Sheppey Crossing – almost two-and-a-half years after it was reduced from 70mph.Also in todays podcast, police have responded to “horrendous” scenes at a council HQ after a debate about making the borough a “district of sanctuary” for asylum seekers turned ugly.One of the men’s toilets on the first floor of Swale council’s offices was ...
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Podcast: Ricky Gervais donates £200,000 from comedy shows to The Retreat Animal Rescue near Ashford and Flori's Friends Rescue in Canterbury
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Ricky Gervais has donated £200,000 to two animal sanctuaries in Kent.The money, which comes from his comedy tours, will be shared between The Retreat near Ashford and Flori's Friends in Canterbury.Hear from bosses who have described it as "monumental".Also in today's podcast, a man who attacked a Maidstone woman and threatened to throw acid over her face has been jailed.It was when Lee George headbutted his victim, leaving her with severe concussion, that she decided to report him to police.Elle Jenkins believes she would have been killed if she had stayed in the relationship and thinks he ...
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Podcast: Families' relief after special needs teaching assistant from Iwade found guilty of child cruelty
Tuesday, 9 December 2025
Victims’ families have spoken out about their relief after a jury found a special needs school teaching assistant guilty of child cruelty.The 46-year-old was found to have subjected four pupils to acts of physical abuse that included pinching, hitting and spitting at them.Also in today’s podcast, a fresh appeal to find those responsible for the brutal murder of a pensioner more than four decades ago has been issued.Esme Hoad was found dead in her home in Tonbridge in1982, after concerned neighbours reported she had not been seen for several days – you can hear from Detective Inspector Lee N...
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Podcast: NHS staff in parts of Kent are being offered the chance to resign as part of plans to cut costs
Monday, 8 December 2025
NHS staff at two Kent Trusts have been invited to resign as part of plans to cut costs.Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and Medway NHS Foundation Trust are offering severance payouts to try and address financial challenges.Also in today's podcast, people in Tunbridge Wells are still being told to boil their water before drinking it - more than a week after being hit with supply issues.24,000 properties have been impacted by a problem at the Pembury treatment works. Meantime, the town's MP is calling on government to provide Covid-style support to businesses affected by the supply issues.Mik...
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Podcast: ArcelorMittal confirms all jobs at Chatham Docks site are up for redundancy as Peel Waters plan redevelopment
Friday, 5 December 2025
A steel manufacturer in Medway is consulting on redundancies for more than 80 employees.ArcelorMittal Kent Wire, based at Chatham Docks, began the process last week ahead of pulling out of the site on Pier Road.Also in today’s podcast, a man’s been locked up for nearly a decade after the stabbing death of another man in Canterbury.The 32-year-old attacked his victim last October in what a judge has described as "senseless and brutal" violence and the "final and tragic culmination" of ongoing animosity between two groups.A campaign run by our sister station kmfm has now raised more than £19,...
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Podcast: 257 flats in Victoria Road in Ashford lie abandoned as Vidi Construction goes into administration
Thursday, 4 December 2025
A huge development of 257 flats has been thrown into doubt after a construction firm went into administration, leaving huge blocks unfinished.The £62.3 million scheme was underway to build the homes close to Ashford town centre but work has now ground to a halt. Also in today’s podcast, we’ll bring you an update as the water crisis in Tunbridge Wells enters its sixth day. Thousand of homes and businesses are still without water and thousands more are being asked to boil water from their taps before drinking it – you can hear from the Head of Water Quality at South East Water. The dramatic m...
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Podcast: Tunbridge Wells residents told to boil water so it's safe to drink as South East Water outage continues into fifth day
Wednesday, 3 December 2025
South East Water customers in Tunbridge Wells are being told to boil water coming out of their taps, if they want to drink it.We're now into a fifth day of major supply issues in the town - affecting 24-thousand properties – we’ve been speaking to people as they queue to collect bottles of water. Also in today's podcast, a murder probe has been launched after a man was fatally stabbed in a residential street.Police and paramedics were called to Thorold Road in Chatham in the early hours of yesterday morning and have been working alongside forensic experts. You can hear from a dad who has re...
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Podcast: Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin calls for CEO of South East Water to resign after thousands of customers were left without supplies
Tuesday, 2 December 2025
The Tunbridge Wells MP is calling on the boss of South East Water to resign after thousands of people in the town were left without water.Problems started over the weekend following an issue at a treatment plant in Pembury. It's also had an impact on businesses - hear from the landlady of a pub who was forced to cancel a Christmas event.Also in today's podcast, the leader of Maidstone council says he's not surprised more younger voters are turning to the Green Party.It's as there are suggestions support for the Green's from those aged 18 to 25 has doubled.There's been mixed reaction to plan...
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Podcast: Collapsed wall causes long delays and disruption for villagers in Leeds near Maidstone
Monday, 1 December 2025
Drivers are still facing delays in a village near Maidstone more than a month after a wall collapsed.It borders a house in Leeds and is thought to have been hit by a lorry in October, leaving rubble over the carriageway of the B2163. We've been speaking to residents.There's a warning homelessness in Kent has reached some of the highest levels on record as we head into winter.Government figures show rough sleeping in the county has risen by 28 percent in just four months - with 248 people now living on the streets.A man's described how he was left screaming in pain after tripping over a drai...
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Podcast: Family of murdered woman say police should have done more to keep her estranged husband out of their shared workspace
Friday, 28 November 2025
The family of a woman who was murdered by her estranged husband believe police should have banned him from the tattoo parlour in Canterbury where they both worked while sex assault allegations were investigated.Ramona Stoia was stabbed by Catalin Micu at Gothink Studio in April 2022, just weeks after he'd been arrested.Also in today's episode, a Dartford man who stabbed his mother's friend to death in her sleep before sexually assaulting her has been jailed.The 21-year-old was found by police sitting on the pavement outside the property where it happened.The leader of Kent County Council ha...
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Podcast: Dover bin man, 23, with terminal cancer escorted to wedding by Veolia colleagues in refuse trucks
Thursday, 27 November 2025
A bin man from Dover with terminal cancer has been escorted to his wedding by a procession of refuse trucks.Stephen Addley's been told he has just months to live and one of his final wishes was to marry his fiancée and make memories with their one-year-old daughter.Also in today's podcast, we've got reaction to yesterday's budget after the chancellor announced £26 billion of tax hikes.Rachel Reeves has insisted the financial plans she announced in the Commons were based on her priorities.She also says the measures will give working class children the chance to have a fulfilling life.Hear fr...
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Podcast: Licence review into Lang’s Bar & Cocktail Lounge, in Sittingbourne, after claims of ‘irresponsible bottomless brunch’
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
An over-21s bar in Sittingbourne could have its licence suspended after complaints about “irresponsible bottomless brunches” and "excessive noise”.Lang’s Bar & Cocktail Lounge, in the town centre, could also have its opening hours cut back and manager removed following a hearing this week. Also in today’s podcast, a Maidstone woman who has a sight condition has told us about the moment she was almost hit by an e scooter.She was walking through an underpass with her guide dog Mabel when it happened and is warning parents against buying them as a Christmas gift this year. A swimming ban at a...
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Podcast: Town mourns death of ‘true legend’ former Dover pub landlord just days after MND diagnosis
Tuesday, 25 November 2025
A town is mourning the death of a much-loved former pub landlord - described by many as a “true legend”.Father-of-four Archie Dryden died just one week after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Also in today’s podcast, a Tunbridge Wells dad has spoken openly about his experience of psychosis following a collapse in his mental health.Jamie Walker says things spiralled after the loss of his business, breakdown of his marriage, a bereavement, ADHD diagnosis and battle with alcoholism.A Kent campaigner is urging us to call out mysogyny, sexist language and cat calling as 16 days of acti...
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Podcast: Mum repeatedly stabbed in front of her children in New Romney speaks out as attacker spared jail
Monday, 24 November 2025
A mum left with "scars to body and mind" after being repeatedly stabbed in front of her children has spoken of her feelings of injustice after the woman who attacked her walked from court.Makala O'Brien told KentOnline that Carrie-Ann Kilshaw, herself a mother of eight and someone she knew, should have been jailed for the unprovoked assault outside her home in New Romney two years ago.Also in today’s podcast, a childcare worker on Sheppey has spoken to the KentOnline Podcast after seeing a jump in demand for places since the funding rules were changed. Since September, parents have been ab...
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Podcast: Faversham family take children out of school to travel the world and share journey on Instagram
Friday, 21 November 2025
A Faversham couple have spoken about their decision to pull their children out of school and travel the world.James and Liberty Carew have decided to swap their traditional 9 to 5 jobs for real-world experiences across the globe.Also in today's podcast, the owner of a Kent animal sanctuary hit by bird flu, fears she may have to find 16-thousand pounds to have other animals there tested for the virus.More than 60 birds at Happy Pants Ranch in Newington near Sittingbourne had to be culled at the end of last month.Villagers in Hadlow say plans for hundreds of homes are going to 'take the soul'...
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Podcast: Parents of Oliver Steeper who died after choking on food receive six-figure settlement from Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Ashford
Thursday, 20 November 2025
The parents of a Kent baby who died after choking on pasta at nursery have described a six-figure settlement as "the end of a long road".Nine-month old Oliver Steeper was fed chopped up penne bolognese by a member of staff at Jelly Beans in Ashford - despite not being weaned onto solid food. Oliver's dad Lewis has told us how the battle for accountability has been really tough.Also in today's podcast, a couple who run a pub in Northfleet say they're having to leave after 16 years because of rising costs and financial pressures.Val and Janine Buzatu took on Ye Olde Leather Bottle in 2009, an...
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Podcast: A mum from Appledore near Ashford speaks out after footage of her teenage son being attacked at a railway station car park was shared on Snapchat
Wednesday, 19 November 2025
A Kent mum has told us how her son has been suffering from anxiety after being lured to a railway station car park and attacked.13-year-old Kian was punched and kicked by an older teenager after travelling by train from Appledore to Rye. Layla Sullivan has described the impact it's had and what she thinks of the punishment.Also in today's podcast, a change.org petition has been set up as part of our campaign calling for reforms to the Blue Badge system.We want cancer patients and those with short-term but serious mobility issues to qualify for one. Kent's MPs are in favour as are Medway Cou...
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Podcast: Anger over noisy building work to turn property on Alma Street in Sheerness into an HMO
Tuesday, 18 November 2025
People living on a road in Sheerness say they are having sleepless nights and suffering 'horrendous noise' coming from a house being turned into an HMO.The podcast has been told work at the property on Alma Street has been going on for more than two months. Hear from a neighbour who claims it has also caused damage to her home.Also in today's episode, a Kent charity that supports young refugees has criticised the government's plans to overhaul the asylum system.Under proposals announced yesterday, most will have to wait 20 years to apply to settle here permanently.A Kent dad says children's...
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Podcast: Folkestone mum feared she would die after being strangled by abusive partner who has been jailed for 27 months
Monday, 17 November 2025
A mum-of-four from Folkestone has described how she feared she was going to die after her jealous boyfriend put his hands around her throat and squeezed until she couldn't breathe.Gina Aiano has bravely described what happened after her attacker was jailed for 27 months.Also in today's podcast, a man from Faversham says there is a lack of dignity for patients receiving corridor care at a Kent hospital.Paul's mother is in her 80s and spent days on a trolley in a corridor behind the A&E department at the William Harvey in Ashford. Paul's been speaking to Kate about the conditions.Plastic pell...
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Podcast: Angry customers protest outside Sheds and Shelters Ltd in Lenham after company suddenly stops trading
Friday, 14 November 2025
Dozens of people have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after a shed company in Lenham suddenly shut down.Some have staged a protest outside Sheds and Shelters Limited's headquarters on Ashford Road - demanding answers. Hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who has been following the story.Also on today's podcast, there'll be disruption to NHS services in Kent today as resident doctors begin a five-day strike.They were previously known as junior doctors, and are involved in the day-to-day running of hospitals.Meantime, pregnant women in Kent are being urged to get a vaccination for ...
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Podcast: Inquest told Herne Bay man, 95, suffering from delirium stabbed partner to death just days after being discharged from Margate's QEQM hospital
Thursday, 13 November 2025
A hearing has been told how a 95-year-old man from Herne Bay stabbed his partner of 30 years while suffering from delirium, days after being discharged from hospital.Ernest Gray killed Margaret Day - who was 86 - at their home in Broomfield Road in November 2023.Also in today's podcast, we've been hearing from a Kent supermarket worker as a new survey shows more than 70% have suffered verbal abuse.Retail trade union Usdaw say nearly half of workers have been threatened and 9% have actually been assaulted. In the run up to Christmas, one worker has shared his experience.There are calls for u...
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Podcast: T Bowles Vehicle Sales car dealership in Sittingbourne locked in insurance battle after losing £120k in wall collapse on forecourt
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
A car dealer is still in limbo more than four months after a wall collapsed onto his forecourt, leaving him hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket.Tom Bowles, who runs the business in Sittingbourne, said his “heart sank” when he arrived to find many of his vehicles had been crushed by the fallen rubble on July 2.Also in today’s podcast, the mother of a 16-year-old girl killed in a car crash almost two years ago says she feels her daughter has been “forgotten about” as the long-running police investigation continues.Alisha Marie Ponter died after the car she was a passenger in overtur...
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Podcast: The Blazing Donkey wedding venue near Sandwich went under owing £380,000 to couples - but they won't get a penny
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
More than 50 couples who had their dream weddings cancelled after a popular Kent venue went under with just 62p in the bank will not receive any of their money back.It’s after the Blazing Donkey Country Hotel fell into administration in September owing more than £380,000 to those booked to be married there.Also in today’s podcast, Reform UK council leader Linden Kemkaran has raised fears that an upcoming BBC documentary may “splice together” things she has said to “make her look bad”.The leader of Kent County Council posted told social media followers this morning she has a “genuine dilemma...
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Podcast: Men from Lydd and Tenterden who left victim with ‘broken’ face in ‘cowardly’ attack told 'you’re no heroes'
Monday, 10 November 2025
Two men who left another man with a “broken face” after it was claimed he had made inappropriate comments to children have been spared jail.A court was told the attackers repeatedly kicked and punched their victim in a Lydd street on learning he had supposedly remarked he "liked little boys" and made a lewd gesture. Also in today’s podcast, an American-themed eatery loved by TV production companies has reopened following a major revamp.The Detling Diner closed almost 18 months ago following a devastating fire which started in its stockroom due to an electrical fault.People living in Folkest...
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Podcast: Former Tollgate Hotel on A2 near Gravesend could be turned into BP petrol station with M&S Food
Friday, 7 November 2025
It looks like a derelict hotel on the A2 near Gravesend will be turned into a petrol station and M&S food store.Plans for a £10 million redevelopment of the Tollgate site have been recommended for approval.Also in today's podcast, a Kent turkey farmer has told us it's 'business as usual' despite restrictions coming in to try and stop the spread of bird flu.There has been at least one confirmed case in the county - with more than 60 birds having to be culled at the Happy Pants Ranch near Sittingbourne.Councils across Kent and Medway have released five different suggestions of what local coun...
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Podcast: Sheppey couple receive £1200 refund from The Range after threatening to take legal action following armchair ‘nightmare’
Thursday, 6 November 2025
A couple are getting a £1,200 refund for furniture that did not arrive after threatening to take The Range to court.It’s after they ordered four electric recliner armchairs from the retailer in September – some parts arrived two days later but other pieces didn’t show up at all. Also in today’ podcast, a lorry driver who had more than 40 migrants in the back of his trailer is among several caught this year amid a spike in arrests in Kent.You can hear from the National Crime Agency who’s warning hauliers are being targeted by ruthless gangs offering them thousands of pounds to smuggle people...
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Podcast: Heartbreak as Margate mum dies just three months after being diagnosed with cancer
Wednesday, 5 November 2025
A mum from Margate has died just three months after being diagnosed with cancer.53-year-old Michelle Bailey was told in July she had an incurable form of the disease after initially suffering what doctors thought was a stroke.Also in today's podcast, the leader of Kent County Council has hit back at the Chancellor, after she criticised the local authority during a speech at Downing Street.Rachel Reeves was speaking ahead of her Budget later this month. Hear what she had to say and the response from Reform UK's Linden Kemkaran. The boss of a Kent charity's admitted they got too big, too quic...
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Podcast: Owners to sell The Green Man site in Hodsoll Street after plans to rebuild the fire-ravaged pub scuppered by "ballooning" costs
Tuesday, 4 November 2025
Developers who wanted to rebuild a cherished country pub which burnt down after being struck by lightning say they’ve had to “abandon the dream” after costs “ballooned”.Plans to restore The Green Man were approved in April, with the intention of renting it to someone who would create a nice community pub.Also in today’s podcast, an XL bully owner agreed to have nine puppies put down when police warned him of the kennel costs he faced after they were seized.It’s after he failed to register his adult dogs in time for a national deadline on the banned breed.The boss of a catapult shooting club...
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Podcast: Murder investigation launched and woman arrested following death of man after suffering stab wounds at house in Castle Road, Chatham
Monday, 3 November 2025
Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in his 40s in Chatham.He was found with stab wounds at a home in Castle Road on Saturday morning. Hear from our reporter who has been at the scene today.Also in today's podcast, residents in part of Maidstone are calling for urgent action to fix unsafe cladding on their flats.Material on the roofs of the buildings at Kingfisher Meadow was deemed to be too flammable following a survey after the Grenfell disaster in 2017.The MP for Gillingham and Rainham says she's worried about where the debate over immigration is headi...
