KentOnline

Podcast: Pair who spat in woman's face and bottled shopkeeper in Margate avoid jail

A man who spat in a woman's face and another who smashed a bottle over a shopkeeper's head in Margate have avoided being sent to prison.
Canterbury Crown Court reporter Sean Axtell joins Nicola Everett on the podcast to chat through the case, why it took so long to get to court and why the judge decided not to lock the pair up.

Also in today's episode, hear from the Kent MP who says Iran is holding a mother 'hostage' after Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was jailed for another year.
Even more of you are now able to get the Covid vaccine in Kent as the age is lowered to include those who are 42 and older.
Football clubs and organisations are planning a social media blackout this weekend in protest at hate messages and trolling - but will it work? Hear from social media expert Zoe Cairns from Rochester.
The name of a new tower block in Ashford has finally been revealed.
And in sport, Dover Athletic will be going part-time next season.

Podcast: Chatham couple say they're the victims of a two year hate campaign because of their body art

A Chatham couple say they are the victims of a two year hate campaign because of their body art.

Tattooists Paul and Annie Riggs have previously had the tyres on their cars let down and recently had graffiti spray painted on their front wall.

They have spoken to the KentOnline Podcast about how it's making them feel.

Also in today's episode, funds are being raised in Kent to help those in India following a huge surge in Covid cases.

A Thanet food bank which helps hundreds of households each week is desperately looking for a new venue.

The Margate Independent Food Bank needs to vacate its current site by the end of this week and fears having to suspend services if they can't find a new premises.

There's going to be a pink supermoon in Kent this week - we've got the details on the best day to see it.

And, we hear from a frustrated Gillingham boss following their 2-2 draw with Northampton at the weekend.

Podcast: The Happy Pants Ranch in Bobbing could face £2.5k fine after complaint about noisy cockerels

The founder of an animal sanctuary near Sittingbourne says she's disappointed at the threat of a £2,500 fine following a complaint about noisy cockerels.

The Happy Pants Ranch has provided a home to hundreds of unwanted or abandoned animals and recently moved to a new site.

Despite being in the middle of the countryside, the council have been in touch to say people have complained about clucking and crowing.

We hear from founder Amey James.

Also in today's podcast, Medway Council has been criticised after a mum and her teenage son were left homeless during the pandemic - we've been speaking to the Ombudsman.

A Canterbury woman has described the moment a volcano erupted leaving her stranded on a Caribbean island.

And, despite Covid restrictions still being in place - St George's Day has been celebrated in Kent.

Podcast: The tragic story of a woman who fell 90ft down a hole in Medway that opened up beneath her

The tragic story of a woman who fell 90ft down a hole that opened up beneath her feet is told in today's podcast.

Jean Thompson had been walking her young son to see his grandmother back in 1967.

She disappeared when the huge void opened up and her body was never recovered.

Hear from our reporter Chris Britcher who's been researching the story.

Also in today's podcast - a man's been charged with attempted murder after a police officer was stabbed in Gravesend.

We speak to the Trussell Trust as figures today show a big increase in the number of emergency food parcels being handed out in Kent.

A man who was told to pay £1,000 by someone claiming to have his missing dog issues a warning to pet owners.

And a YouTuber who moved to Kent after suddenly being made homeless has spoken of having to spend months apart from his beloved exotic animals.

Podcast: Langley Beck ordered to clear land near Maidstone

A man who has lived on land near Maidstone for more than 30 years has been ordered to clear the site after being accused of turning it into a rubbish dump.

Langley Beck has been caught up in a legal dispute with the local council.

This week they secured a High Court injunction which gives him six months to clear the 14-hectares of land - he also can't live there anymore.

Hear from our reporter Katie Heslop who visited Mr Beck at the site he's called home since the 1980s.

Also in today's podcast - Network Rail has been fined almost £700,000 after a worker was badly burned in a fire at a substation.

Hear from the Kent MP who will be leading a review into how football is run following the collapse plans for a European Super League.

And, the Gillingham boss reacts to their win over title chasing Peterborough United in league one.

Podcast: The European Super League and what it could mean for Kent clubs as the fallout continues

There's more reaction in Kent today to the idea of a European Super League.

Kent MP Tracey Crouch has been drafted in to carry out a football review after the plans angered many clubs and fans.

The Prime Minister has even stepped in today saying he could change the law to block it.

We hear from the manager of non-league Chatham Town and former chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, Folkestone's Damian Collins.

Also in today's podcast - a lorry driver reacts to news that Operation Brock and its 50mph limit on the M20 is going.

Is the International Baccalaureate better than A levels? We speak to the headteacher of Rochester Grammar, students and someone who did it as a survey finds the majority of year 10 - 13s think the current exam system is outdated.

Find out where in Kent could become home to one of Europe's fastest rollercoasters.

And, we look ahead to Gillingham's game against Peterborough United in league one.

Podcast: Hospital trust pleads guilty to unsafe care and treatment of baby Harry Richford who died at seven days old

A Kent hospital trust has pleaded guilty to the unsafe care and treatment of a baby who died at just seven days old.
In the first case of its kind in the UK, East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust was taken to court by the Care Quality Commission following the death of Harry Richford in 2017.

An inquest last year heard about a catalogue of failures by staff at the QEQM hospital in Margate.
Today, Harry's parents have welcomed the plea and given their reaction.
Also in the podcast - a Kent student is leading a call for women with endometriosis to be able to have their eggs frozen on the NHS.
Find out why computer game technology is being used to engage some students in the county.
And, Gillingham reporter Luke Cawdell chats about the European Super League and the reaction it's had in the county.

Podcast: Final preparations are made for Prince Philip's funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor

Final preparations are being made ahead of Prince Philip's funeral.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the blessing at the end of the service which is being held at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle tomorrow.

We've been speaking to a Kent student who achieved the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award on what his legacy will be.

Also in today's podcast, families across Kent have been finding out what primary school their child will be going to in September. There's advice for mums and dad from education lawyer Graham Jones.

A Maidstone man has been explaining how he hopes a series of benches will help tackle loneliness.

And, the Gillingham boss speaks ahead of their game at Oxford United this weekend.

Podcast: Medics say pubs, bars and restaurants will need better ventilation as Covid restrictions are eased

Leading doctors say pubs, bars and restaurants will need better ventilation as Covid restrictions are eased.

At the moment we can eat and drink outside but it's hoped the hospitality industry will be able to welcome us inside from May 17.

The British Medical Association is wanting to highlight the importance of fresh air in reducing transmission - but one pub boss in Thanet says they're being targeted yet again.

We've also been speaking to the president of Kent's student union after it was confirmed they won't be returning to campus until next month.

How are you feeling about lockdown easing? West Kent Mind have been receiving more calls from those who're anxious - we speak to them and a Kent psychologist.

And hear the moment Nigel Farage gets caught out by the oldest prank in the book.

Podcast: 100 days until the Tokyo Olympics - we speak to some of the Kent athletes hoping to be there

It's 100 days until the Olympics get underway in Tokyo.

The Games were due to happen last summer but were delayed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

We've been speaking to Kent's Tom Bosworth, Kate French and Cheavon Clarke on training during lockdown and hopes for the next few months.

Also in today's podcast we have the latest on a case at the High Court about the use of a former Army barracks in Kent to house asylum seekers.

Would you buy a tweet or meme? Sounds crazy, but the phenomenon known as NFT is taking the art world by storm - we explain it and hear from a couple of Kent art experts.

And, Gillingham didn't play last night but were keeping a close eye on others who were - find out how the results have affected their play-off chances.