KentOnline

Podcast: Maidstone gym owners calls for knife amnesty to tackle crime in town centre

The owner of a Maidstone gym says he's disappointed police have turned down his request to hold a knife amnesty, for a second time.
Jay Atkins is worried about crime in the town centre and thinks a secure bin could be placed in his premises to collect weapons.

He's been speaking to the podcast about his idea.
Also in today's episode, we have details on the local election results after votes took place in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.
Nationally, the Prime Minister has admitted the Conservative party have faced challenges in the first vote since Partygate.
A Kent actor who recently saw his childhood abuser jailed, says he's turning the experience into something positive and has written a courtroom drama.
Hear from Stuart Antony from Gravesend who was targeted by a family friend over five years from the age of 10.
Kent's Rose Ayling-Ellis is going to be the first celebrity to sign a Cbeebies Bedtime story this weekend.
And in sport, the Gillingham manager will have watch the first game of next season from the stands.
Neil Harris has been given a touchline ban after being shown a red card in their penultimate game against Portsmouth.

Podcast: Former owners of The Grand hotel in Folkestone go on trial accused of cheating taxpayers

The former owners of one of Kent's most famous hotels have gone on trial accused of cheating the taxpayer out of nearly half a million pounds.
Michael Stainer, 74, and his 60-year-old wife Doris both deny the charges. Hear from our business editor Chris Britcher.

Also in today's podcast, a Medway mum who's calling for more CCTV to be installed at a cemetery where her baby's grave has been repeatedly vandalised.
Lily-Mae Spring was stillborn eight years ago and was laid to rest at Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham.
The KentOnline Podcast has been told some NHS staff in Kent have anxiety and are struggle to sleep as a result of the work they've been doing during the pandemic.
Workers are being encouraged to speak about how they're feeling and get help if necessary.
Hear about a special bus that's touring the county.
New figures show a worrying decline in the number of flying insects in Kent.
The data was collected by counting the number of bugs found splatted on cars last year compared to back in 2004.
Dr Lawrence Ball from Kent Wildlife Trust has been explaining why we should be concerned.
And, a submarine which was built at Chatham Dockyard is celebrating it’s 60th birthday this week.
HMS Ocelot remained in service for 27 years but returned to the Dockyard in 1991, where it remains on display.

Podcast: The parents of a baby who died after choking on food at an Ashford nursery speak out about planned changes within childcare

The parents of a nine-month old baby who died after choking on food at a nursery in Ashford have hit out at plans to relax rules around the ratio of staff to children.

It's something being considered by the government as a way of making childcare more affordable.

Oliver Steeper died six days after becoming unwell in September last year.

Hear from his mum and dad Lewis and Zoe.

Also in today's podcast, a prison guard - who was armed with what's been described as a 'rapists toolkit' - has been found guilty of attacking a prostitute at an Airbnb in Folkestone.

Senior judges are reviewing the sentence of the Kent man who kidnapped and murdered Sarah Everard.

Former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens from Deal will have his appeal heard, along with four other killers.

A Kent man has posted a heartbreaking video online revealing he's been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of just 35.

Sam Hayden-Harler lives near Swanley and had been undergoing tests after noticing changes to his strength last year - hear what he's had to say and how he's trying to raise awareness.

And, there could be a heatwave in Kent later this month.

The Met Office reckons temperatures could reach 23c in the middle of May.

Podcast: Man stabbed following crash in Herne Bay which left a vehicle on its roof

A man has been seriously injured after being stabbed following a crash in Herne Bay.
Hear from our reporter Jack Dyson who has been to the scene of the collision which left one vehicle on its roof.
Also in today's podcast, P&O Ferries' passenger sailings are resuming from Dover.
It's more than six weeks since the company suddenly sacked almost 800 staff and replaced them with agency workers.
Our reporter Chris Britcher shares his thoughts on whether we'll all be rushing to get back in board.
Following an 11 day break, hundreds of asylum seekers have arrived in Kent after crossing the Channel in small boats over the weekend.
Some could now be sent to Rwanda as part of a new deal agreed by the government - we have reaction.
A Medway woman says she's putting her life at risk every time she goes out, because pavements in Rainham aren't wheelchair friendly.
Sally Matthews needs an electric chair to get around but says she's forced into the road.
A transgender activist from Medway has spoken out about the long waiting lists faced by people possibly wanting to change their gender.
Hear from Hilary Cooke who fears it's leading to mental health problems.
And in sport, there was huge disappointment for Gillingham fans at the weekend as the club were relegated from league one.
Hear from manager Neil Harris who has apologised for their performances this season.

Podcast: Electric car driver fined £90 for staying too long at Lidl in Ditton while using a Pod Point charger

A driver of an electric car has been fined for staying too long in a supermarket car park to charge it.

Find out where James Piddock was and how much he was told to pay.

Also in today's podcast, it's emerged a man suspected of killing his wife at a tattoo studio in Canterbury before taking his own life died from a stab wound to the stomach.

An inquest has opened into the death of Catalin Micu who was found at GothInk studio in the city earlier this month.

Hear from our reporter Brad Harper who was at today's hearing.

An app's being launched that identifies the safest routes in and around Ashford town centre.

Streetwise tells you which areas have CCTV, good street lighting and high footfall.

A Kent business expert is warning cyber attacks are becoming more common and sophisticated as we move towards a cashless society.

There's been a lot of talk about the issue, after a story on Kent Online revealed how frustrated pensioners claimed pay-by-phone car parks in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable were ageist.

Gillingham fans and players are getting ready for an incredibly tense final game of the season...

Tomorrow's result will determine whether they're relegated from league one - or complete the great escape.

Hear from the manager, Neil Harris, and captain, Stuart O'Keefe.

Podcast: Crane collapses at building site on New Dover Road in Canterbury

A large crane has collapsed at a building site in Canterbury.
It happened on New Dover Road where a retirement complex is being built. Hear from our reporter Joe Wright who is in the city.

Also in today's podcast, a damning report has found domestic abuse victims in Kent were failed and their abusers escaped justice because of police failings.
The HM Inspectorate of Constabulary has been looking at various aspects of what the force does. Hear from them and reaction from Kent Police and the police and crime commissioner.
Eight shops in Gravesend have been ordered to close after a series of raids targeting businesses thought to be involved in selling illegal tobacco...
It's thought to be the largest operation of its kind in the UK and we joined the police and council as they boarded up shops.
Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for an animal sanctuary in Kent to be allowed to stay open.
Happy Pants Ranch moved to land near Sittingbourne last January but had to apply to the council to be allowed to continue operating there.
And, a Gravesend woman who's known as the 'laughing accountant' is set to represent the UK at the World Laughter Championships...
Genny Jones has previously appeared on Britain's Got Talent and also runs laughing yoga classes.

Podcast: EastEnders and The Bill actor Stuart Antony speaks exclusively about the abuse he suffered as a child

A Kent actor has spoken exclusively to the KentOnline Podcast about the abuses he suffered as a child at the hands of a man considered a family friend.

Stuart Antony from Gravesend, who's appeared in EastEnders and The Bill, reported his abuser to police in 2016.

He's waived his right to anonymity after 62-year-old Billy Nutt from Week Street in Maidstone was jailed for 18 years.

Also in today's podcast, for the first time since they sacked almost 800 staff nearly six weeks ago, P&O Ferries have resumed sailings from Dover.

Workers have been replaced with lower paid agency staff. Hear today from the RMT Union and the transport secretary.

A Kent mum who's been told there's no place for her son at a local school says she's prepared to go to court.

11 year-old Sam Horsley from Hartley has autism and needs to go to a specialist secondary in September.

A Kent PCSO is being remembered a year after she was killed while walking her dog.

Julia James was attacked in woodland not far from her home in Snowdown between Canterbury and Dover.

And in sport, Gillingham are still in with a chance of avoiding relegation from league one.

We've got details of why fans were nervously watching Fleetwood Town's result last night.

Podcast: Man armed with knife robs Lloyds bank in Dartford then calls police to admit it

A man who threatened to kill a bank worker before taking money from a till has been jailed.

Hear the moment Roy Sinclair from Sydenham called police to admit he'd robbed Lloyds in Dartford.

Also in today's podcast, an inquest has opened into the death of a woman at a tattoo studio in Canterbury.

Ramona Stoia was discovered at GothInk in the city two weeks ago. Hear from our reporter who was at today's hearing.

A Whitstable mum says she's going to have keep her daughter off school if plans to cut some bus services in the town go-ahead.

Stagecoach says it's taken the "very tough decision" to axe some routes next month due to rising costs and a drop in passenger numbers since the pandemic.

People living in part of Maidstone are worried about the amount of dust that's being created by the demolition of a former 26-storey library building.

At KentOnline you can see video of the old Springfield tower being knocked down.

And, Gillingham fans will be keeping a close eye on how relegation rivals Fleetwood get on tonight.

They're a place above the Gills on goal difference but have played a game less and host Sheffield Wednesday.

Podcast: RMT Union has serious concerns about safety as it’s confirmed P&O Ferries will resume sailings from Dover this week

A union boss has spoken of his concerns about safety after it was confirmed P&O Ferries will resume sailings from Dover this week.
It's more than five weeks since the company unexpectedly sacked almost 800 workers.
Those staff have been replaced with lower paid agency crew.
Darren Proctor from the RMT Union fears their schedule could lead to a fatality.
Also in today's podcast, hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who has been at the scene of a stabbing in Maidstone.
A Medway charity has seen a huge increase in the number of people needing help to afford food.
As the cost of living crisis continues, we've been speaking to the founder of Gillingham Street Angels after they were named overall winners at the Pride in Medway awards.
It looks like an independent regulator will oversee English football, after the government gave its backing to key proposals from a fan-led review led by a Kent MP.
10 recommendations will be endorsed, including measures to give supporters more say.
Chatham and Aylesford's Tracey Crouch has been overseeing the review.
It's hoped the Great British Rail Sale will boost tourism in Kent over the next month.
Half price tickets can be used from today as part of a scheme to encourage people to use the trains again after Covid.
In sport, Gillingham's future in league one is looking rather uncertain after they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the weekend.
They're back in the drop zone on goal difference following Saturday's trip to take on Portsmouth at Fratton Park - hear from manager Neil Harris.

Podcast: Dad’s anger after son caught on camera damaging a 12th century church in Cliffe, Medway

The father of a boy caught on camera damaging an historic church in Medway has spoken of his disgust.

Several stained glass windows at St Helen's in Cliffe were damaged on Easter Sunday.

Find out what the teenager's dad has told our reporter.

Also in today's podcast, we have an update from our political editor after it was confirmed yet another investigation will be held into Partygate.

We can also reveal which Kent MP is one of the favourites to take over from the Prime Minister if he resigned over lockdown breaches.

For the first time since before the start of the pandemic, St George's Day celebrations have returned to the streets of north Kent today.

Schools in Gravesend and Dartford have been taking part in parades through the town centres - we've been speaking to the organisers.

While a lot of us use phone apps to pay for parking these days, it seems not everyone is happy about a decision in Canterbury to turn some car parks cashless.

We've been reading through your comments on Facebook.

Hear from Majestic who's been chatting to Rob and Claire on our sister radio station kmfm about how he started working on his latest single on a plane to Aberdeen.

And, it's another massive weekend for Gillingham as they fight for survival in league one.

Hear from manager Neil Harris ahead of their trip to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth.