Episodes
A Dover woman has ended up in court after finding out the dog she rescued was an XL Bully.The 55-year-old thought she'd adopted a Staffordshire bull terrier, but called police for advice when a neighbour raised concerns.Also on today's podcast, the sea at 29 beaches in Kent is going to be tested to make sure it's safe for us to swim in.KentOnline's been told how experts will regularly monitor the water during the summer season which runs until the end of September.More than 40,000 young people in Kent have signed a Commitment Pledge to not carry a knife, and report someone they know is.It's...
A former cage fighter from Folkestone has been locked away indefinitely after he attacked a stranger in the street.Kiane Trotman, 38, from Foord Road South, was experiencing paranoid schizophrenia when he punched and kicked his victim near the Canterbury Road Recreation Ground in 2023.Also in today's podcast, the new Reform UK leader of Kent County Council has appeared to backtrack on the party's plans to stop staff working from home.Party leader Nigel Farage said he wanted to get people back in the office, after their success in the recent local elections. Hear what Linden Kemkaran has now...
A cancer patient from Faversham says it is her “dying wish” for thousands of people to benefit from the choice of ending their life.Elise Burns is terminally ill and urging MPs to “do the right thing” when voting on the assisted dying bill.Also in today’s podcast, a man who stalked his ex-partner and threatened to burn her house down has avoided being sent to prison. A court heard the 39-year-old from Ashford launched a relentless campaign of harassment that left his former partner living in constant fear.There’s a warning from firefighters as we head into the summer about making sure barbe...
A Sheppey restaurant could lose its licence after an investigation by immigration officers found two workers being given food and accommodation rather than wages.Local democracy reporter Dan Esson has been covering this story about Mems Mezza in Halfway.Also in today's podcast, a report's found improvements in maternity services at East Kent Hospitals.Inspectors visited the QEQM in Margate and Ashford's William Harvey.We've been hearing from the boss of a tech company, who says their surveillance equipment could help wipe out fly-tipping in Kent.WasteWatch technology, which uses AI, has bee...
Cockroaches have been discovered at one of Kent’s top hotels during a food hygiene inspection.The insects were found in several traps in the basement and floating in a pool of water in the kitchen of the luxury hotel in Canterbury.Also in today’s podcast, a prolific thief who stole two bottles of wine says he “went off the rails” after his cousin died in a motorbike accident.He went into a Co-op in Maidstone to steal the alcohol in March despite a court order banning him from entering certain stores in the town.You can also hear from Kent business owners who say their trade more than halved...
A Kent Police Inspector is due to face a misconduct hearing after being found guilty of assaulting a woman.James Beautridge was suspended from duty after the attack in Maidstone in September 2023.Also in today's podcast, a refugee charity's calling on the Prime Minister to apologise for language he used in a speech about immigration.Sir Keir Starmer was laying out plans yesterday to reduce the number of people coming to the UK, and said without new rules we risk becoming an 'island of strangers'. We've been speaking to the CEO of Care4Calais.Businesses in Maidstone have been left clearing u...
The KentOnline Podcast has spoken to two former workers who say they quit the ambulance service after being unable to cope in such a “toxic” environment.South East Coast Ambulance Trust, which operates across Kent, says it does not tolerate inappropriate behaviour but their leadership has been accused of being critical, strict and overbearing. Also in today’s podcast, to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, a Kent mum who has lost three friends is sharing their stories in the hopes of encouraging men to seek support and talk to one another.She’s campaigning for more awareness par...
We now know who has been chosen as the new leader of Kent County Council after Reform UK won last week's local election.The party has 57 seats at the authority and all of those councillors gathered last night to choose who will be in charge.They decided on Linden Kemkaran who was elected last week to represent Maidstone South East.A Kent mum who has been left with long-term mobility issues after breaking her neck has been telling the podcast how she's been denied a Blue Badge.Bev Evans from Wateringbury was badly injured after falling down her stairs in 2020 and now struggles to walk. She's...
A Kent mum fears she could be left homeless with her elderly, ill nan if the council can't find her a property.Nina Darbey has been privately renting her home for six years but the landlord wants to sell up. The 46-year-old has been telling the podcast how she's been unable to find another home she can afford, and is struggling to bid for a council house.In other news, police, firefighters and paramedics have been called after a blaze broke out at a former school in Chatham.Part of the old St John Fisher Catholic School in Ordnance Street was taped off last night. Hear from reporter Brad Ha...
The landlady of a pub in Chatham says allegations of animal neglect against her simply aren't true.It's after pictures posted on social media of several farmyard animals being kept at the Waggon and Hale, went viral. Hear from our reporter Charlotte Phillips who has been covering the story.Also in today's podcast, the Labour leader of Medway Council has been telling us how Reform UK are in for a rude awakening as they take over control of Kent County Council.They swept to victory in last week's local election, winning 57 seats and leader Nigel Farage has already said they'll be looking to s...
A homeowner has issued a stark warning after he says his life was “destroyed completely” by having an HMO next door.The resident in Sittingbourne was stunned to wake up and find scaffolding and the roof missing on the adjoining property in the terraced street.Also in today’s podcast, a mum has branded Medway council “clueless” after it wrongly refused her 17-year-old daughter a parking permit — and then asked for hers back as well.She’d applied on behalf of the learner driver for an additional pass to park outside the family’s terraced home in Gillingham but the authority insisted they aren...
Today is a big day in the battle to take over control of the Kent County Council with results coming in from the local elections. All eyes are on the rise of Reform UK who have taken significant victories nationally – we’ll hear from reporters at counts across the county. Also in today’s podcast, three beaches have received the highly unwanted title of having some of the worst bathing water quality in England.They’ve all been awarded the dreaded gongs in the 2025 'Brown Flag Awards' – these are beaches rated as 'poor' by the Environment Agency due to their potentially unsafe levels of bacte...
A teenager who collapsed in a park in Ashford has been diagnosed with rare heart disorder after previous seizures were blamed on ‘anxiety’. The 16-year-old survived the ordeal but she has been left brain damaged – her family say her illness should have been detected much sooner. Also in today’s podcast, dogs will be kicked off many of Kent’s most popular beaches from today to make way for visitors coming to the coast this summer.The rules, in place until September 30, could see any dog walker caught breaking the rules risking a £100 fine – we’ve been on the coast to get reaction. Free rape ...
There's anger after dozens of trees on a road near Sandwich were cut down.The poplars that lined the A256 southbound heading towards Dover have been reduced to stumps with environmentalists concerned it happened during nesting season.However, landowners insist all the correct rules were followed.Also in today's podcast, the deputy leader of Medway Council says GP practices need to modernise to help meet a growing demand for appointments.Theresa Murray says younger doctors in particular don't want to be responsible for the mortgage on a surgery building - and would prefer to just have a sala...
Three men have been taken to hospital with stab wounds after a dispute in Margate which sparked a massive emergency response.Forensic investigators and detectives were called to the High Street yesterday evening after reports of the violence erupting.Also in today’s podcast, an inquest has opened into the death of a woman who went missing from a mental health hospital and was found dead on a town centre bench later that same day. She’d been an inpatient at Littlebrook Hospital in Dartford but disappeared after being let out into the grounds to have a cigarette – she was found unresponsive i...
A seafront bar has closed after its licence was suspended for failing to hand over crucial CCTV footage to police.The lease for the unit in Margate has now gone on the market after the owner failed to give police information about a nearby chemical attack. Also in today’s podcast, a devastated dog owner is demanding answers after his much-loved pet died while receiving care from a leading animal charity.The PDSA has launched an investigation into what happened to eight-year-old Diesel amid claims from Lee Taylor that a drugs mix-up occurred.Hundreds of protesters gathered in a Kent town ove...
Shop workers in a Medway village say they’ve been left “traumatised” after a series of “shocking” attacks on the store.Staff at the newsagent in Hoo say they’re suffering regular verbal abuse and have had display stands chucked at them and have even been threatened with acid.Also in today’s podcast, an abusive man who assaulted his partner for almost two years and made her life an “absolute misery” has been jailed.The offences starting shortly after the pair met in July 2022 and included belittling the victim in front of her friends and family, constantly demanding to know her whereabouts a...
A hearing has been told how a mum believes her daughter was let down by health professionals in the days and months before her death.25-year-old Dani Tuohy passed away after falling from a bridge in January - just hours after being discharged from the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.The Conservative leader's asked the Prime Minister to say sorry to Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield over historic disagreements on trans issues.Kemi Badenoch's told Sir Keir Starmer he was wrong when he previously said 'transwomen are women' - following a ruling by the Supreme Court.The first event of its kind lo...
A row's broken out between a developer and residents after plans for six flats on land in Folkestone were approved.The council meeting had to be paused and staff called to intervene after the argument broke out between Leo Griggs and people opposed to his proposals for Shorncliffe Road.Also in today's podcast, a man accused of murdering another man in Canterbury is set to walk free after his friend accepted blame for the killing.Samare Gerezgihir died after being stabbed in the city centre during a late night attack last October.Bosses in Dover have thanked the community for coming together...
The parents of a young girl who broke her neck after falling from a zipline in Ashford say it's 'too dangerous' for children.Lois Crook had gone to Victoria Park in the town with her mum and older brother and fell head first after being thrown into the air.Also in today's podcast, religious leaders across Kent have been paying tribute to the Pope following his death at the age of 88.Francis passed away yesterday morning after having a stroke and heart failure. Hear from the Archdeacon of Canterbury, Will Adam.There are calls for more to be done to help people who have been fined for speedin...
Pictures at KentOnline today show the shocking state of a home in Faversham dubbed the 'flat from hell' after a woman was arrested on suspicion of child neglect.People living close to the property near Faversham say it's still filled with filth, four months after being abandoned.Also in today's episode, a Medway mum's told us she feels like she's living with a 'ticking time bomb' after learning her breast implants could be toxic.Abby Squire had cosmetic surgery in 2009, but only recently found out implants made by the same pharmaceutical company were recalled in 2019.The air ambulance chari...
Three men have gone on trial accused of repeatedly raping a young girl after spotting her alone in a supermarket car park.A court's been told the men were 'complete strangers' to the youngster and encouraged her into a car after promising she could have a cigarette.Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP wants to bring in new rules making it compulsory for energy companies to offer social tariffs to vulnerable households.It would mean providers would be forced to offer reduced rates for some groups, including people on benefits or disabled customers.East Thanet's Polly Billington says the fuel p...
Police have been called to a farm’s family fun day after animal rights activists targeted the event - with some parents saying young children were “upset”.Officers were pictured at the spring fair in Ashford, as the protesters handed out leaflets promising a “fun-packed tour of your local abattoir”.Also on today’s podcast, a frantic 999 call made after a young man was fatally stabbed in the heart by his girlfriend’s cousin has been played in court.Jack Cadwallader was attacked after a row broke out at a flat in Harrietsham last July. An investigation has found one local authority is sitting...
There are fears horror stories from the county’s A&E departments have left many patients afraid to seek urgent hospital treatment.Reports of sick people stranded for hours on trolleys in crowded corridors are having a knock-on effect on local surgeries.Also in today podcast, a drink driver was warned she could be facing jail after admitting to getting behind the wheel while over the legal limit for at least the third time.She was spotted by police at the wheel of her car in Maidstone in February “driving at excess speed” and going in a bus lane.Dozens of Evri couriers are being chased by de...
A topless teenager who wielded a knife during a fight along a packed Kent seafront where hundreds of people were gathered has been in court. The brawl erupted between a large group of youths - some carrying weapons - opposite Margate's main sands last summer.Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from Kent Police following an announcement named bobbies are returning to town centres across the county in a major shakeup in policing. It’s part of an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour and dash perceptions the police have “abandoned” communities. An inquest has heard a kickboxer who trained a...
Parents on Sheppey say they're worried about their children's future after they were offered secondary school places nearly 30 miles away on the mainland.It's because of a lack of secondary space on the island, but now some families say they may have to hire private tutors.Also in today's episode, the podcast has been told part of Kent remains a 'community in crisis', two years after a major cliff collapse.The A256 Galley Hill Road is still shut after a large section crumbled away - with chalk falling onto businesses below.A leading Kent business expert says a new theme park planned for Be...
Controversial plans for a 2,500-home estate near Sittingbourne are back on the agenda more than six years after they were first suggested.Developers want to put properties on farmland off the Sheppey way in Bobbing and say they've addressed concerns over open space, sports provisions and road links.Also in today's episode, an inquest into the death of a young girl at a music festival in Margate has heard more than 80 people were found with drugs at the event.17-year-old Emily Stokes suffered a cardiac arrest after taking MDMA at the drum and bass festival at Dreamland in June last year.A Ke...
Two men have gone on trial accused of murder after another man was stabbed through the heart during an attack in Canterbury.23 year-old Samare Gerezgihir - who was also known as Sammy or Jamyl - died at the scene in a courtyard near the former Nasons department store in the city centre in October last year.People living in two Kent villages fear they could be left without high-speed wifi after a provider announced plans to pull out of the area.Trooli's confirmed a small number of customers on a copper network in Stansted and part of Fairseat will be affected.A Kent dad who's raised tens of ...
A dad-of-two who can’t work following major surgery to remove a tumour says he has been unable to secure any financial help during his six-month recovery.The 40-year-old was first told he had cancer last July and applied for personal independence payments before his surgery but says he was told he was not eligible.Also in today’s podcast, a drink-driver who "catastrophically ruined" a teenage girl’s life after causing a horror crash has been locked up. The 21-year-old plumber was double the legal limit from downing four pints in a pub when his car careered into the path of a another vehicle...
We’ve heard from a frustrated mum says she is being driven “mad” by fleas and mice in her council home just weeks after moving in.Lucy Day says her three-year-old daughter is so scared of the pests that the pair have been forced to live out of one room at the Margate flat.Also in today’s podcast, an irate woman has appeared in court after she grabbed a wheel wrench from her car boot and attacked a woman - claiming she had parked too close to her vehicle.She’d nipped out to get some lunch for her children when she saw red during an altercation at an Aldi car park in Swanley. You can hear fro...