KentOnline
The top stories from the KentOnline news team
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Episodes
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Podcast: Mum of teenager Ashton Harrington who was stabbed to death in Whitstable says she won't rest until she gets justice for her son
Thursday, 9 April 2026
The mum of a young man who was stabbed to death in Whitstable has told us she won't rest until she gets justice for her son. Ashton Harrington was found in Belmont Road in the town in the early hours of Good Friday. The 19-year-old's mum Camille has been speaking to our reporter Gerry Warren who joins us on the podcast. Also in today's episode, a drug dealer from Tunbridge Wells has been jailed after police found him trying to destroy a mobile phone by flushing it down the toilet. Police attended 28-year-old Sabinson Selimaj's property in Scotts Way last October as part on ongoing enquiries...
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Podcast: Family with newborn baby 'lose everything' as huge flames seen ‘bursting out’ roof of houses in Greenhithe, near Dartford.
Wednesday, 8 April 2026
A family with a newborn baby have been left homeless after a blaze broke out on a housing estate near Dartford. Seven fire engines and a height vehicle were called to the scene in Greenhithe yesterday – it’s as fires have also broken out in Ashford and Medway – we’ll bring you all the details. Also in today’s podcast, you can hear an eyewitness account of the death of a skydiver at a Kent airfield. A man in his 50s in confirmed to have died at Headcorn Aerodrome on Easter Monday – we’ve spoken to another man who was due to skydive on the same morning. A row's broken out between two poli...
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Podcast: Skydiver dies at Headcorn Aerodrome near Maidstone after eyewitnesses reported seeing 'object' falling from the sky
Tuesday, 7 April 2026
An investigation is underway after a skydiver died at at an airfield in Kent. Emergency crews were called to Headcorn Aerodrome yesterday morning after eyewitnesses reported seeing 'an object' falling from the sky. Operators, Go Skydive, say a British Skydiving Board of Inquiry will investigate the accident. Also in today's podcast, police have released pictures of two men they want to speak to following a fatal stabbing in Whitstable. 19-year-old Ashton Harrington was found in Belmont Road in the early hours of Good Friday. There's a warning health services in Kent could be impacted as str...
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Podcast: Domestic abuser jailed after threatening to kill his partner and burn her family’s house down
Thursday, 2 April 2026
A domestic abuser who threatened to kill the mother of three of his children and burn her family’s house down has been jailed. But the father of Martin Creed’s victim says “justice has not been served”, after he admitted abusing his partner of eight years in a caravan on Sheppey. Also in today’s podcast, a man has appeared in court after being accused of murdering his mother at their home near Dover. The 64-year-old victim was attacked at a home in Khartoum Square on Sunday. A mum who moved to a garden city for a “blissful green escape” says it’s become a “living hell” thanks to ongoing ...
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Podcast: Developer Hodson enters administration leaving future of almost 6,000 homes in Chilmington, in Ashford, Green in doubt
Wednesday, 1 April 2026
A developer involved in one of Kent’s biggest housing projects has gone into administration - casting doubt over key infrastructure. Administrators have been appointed just months after the company failed to avoid more than £50 million in agreed contributions. Also in today’s podcast, a mum-of-one murdered by her estranged husband had told police just 16 days before she was killed that she feared it was “very likely” he would seriously harm her. A report has revealed officers deemed Ramona Stoia was only at “medium” risk following his arrest for physical and sexual offences against her. A ...
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Podcast: Daughter of alcoholic Gillingham man says he 'spent thousands' ordering drinks on Uber Eats and other delivery apps before his death
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
The family of an alcoholic who spent thousands of pounds on delivery apps to order alcohol have called for more safety measures. The Gillingham man's family say he was spending up to £60 a day on Uber Eats and it accelerated his death – they’re calling for more to be done to restrict the sale of alcohol. Also on today’s podcast, detectives have charged a man with murder following the death of a woman in Dover. The 64 year-old was found dead after police were called to a home in Khartoum Square in Whitfield on Sunday afternoon – the suspect will be in court today. It has been a year since t...
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Podcast: Bosses 'deeply heartbroken' after fire breaks out at The Hengist in Aylesford High Street
Monday, 30 March 2026
The bosses of a popular restaurant in Aylesford have told the KentOnline Podcast they're 'deeply heartbroken' following a fire over the weekend. Crews were called to The Hengist in the High Street just after midnight on Sunday. At its height, eight engines and a height vehicle were at the scene, with pictures showing smoke billowing into the night sky. The boss of a nightclub at the centre of a meningitis outbreak in Canterbury has exclusively revealed to the podcast that they will reopen later this week. Club Chemistry voluntarily closed it's doors earlier this month after almost 90% of ca...
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Podcast: The most and least affordable places to buy a home in Kent are revealed
Friday, 27 March 2026
If you're looking to get on the housing ladder, figures today have revealed the most and least affordable parts of Kent. Property prices in Dover are just seven times residents' earnings, but in Sevenoaks it's much higher at more than 10 times. Reporter Sam Lennon has been in Dover and speaking to people who live and work in the town. Crews have been tackling a blaze at a car dealership in Canterbury which caused heavy smoke and travel disruption. Seven fire engines were sent to the Mercedes-Benz showroom on Sturry Road at around half five this morning. Plans to build 2,500 homes near Sitti...
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Podcast: Father and son jailed for killing four-year-old Peter Maughan in crash in Southfleet
Thursday, 26 March 2026
Two men have been jailed for killing a four-year-old family member in a crash near Gravesend. Peter Maughan died after the 4x4 he was travelling in with his parents and youngster sister was clipped at speed by a vehicle pursuing them on New Barn Road in Southfleet last June. Hear from Peter's mother Hayley Maughan and Senior prosecutor Natalie Smith who spoke outside court. Also in today's podcast, a driver who struck a teacher in a hit and run in Medway has been found guilty of causing death by careless driving. Ben Allen was knocked down as he walked along Station Road in Cliffe following...
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Podcast: Prince and Princess of Wales due among congregation at Canterbury Cathedral for enthronement of Dame Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
It's an historic day in Kent as the enthronement of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury takes place. Today's ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral is the symbolic start of Dame Sarah Mullally's leadership of the Church of England. More than 2,000 people including the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Prime Minister will be at the ceremony. Three students from the John Wallis Church of England Academy in Ashford will also be taking part hear from MacAnthony Ihejirika and the school's chaplain Ian Rich. Also in today's podcast, you're now able to travel around Canterbury on e-bikes. Renta...
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Podcast: Police launch investigation after fire at Ramo's Cafe in Strood High Street
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
An investigation's underway following a fire at a café in Strood. Emergency crews were called to the High Street at about 4am and at its height seven fire engines were at the scene along with a height vehicle. Also in today's podcast, drivers have been stuck in gridlocked traffic because of a closure of the Medway Tunnel. There was a power failure overnight which led to long delays through Strood, Gillingham and Chatham. We have the latest on the situation from councillor Alex Paterson. Two of Kent's MPs are calling for a crackdown on catapults being used to hurt animals. Dartford's Jim Dic...
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Podcast: Tributes to Kent Police officer who died after being involved in a crash while responding to emergency call on A20 in Farningham, near Swanley
Monday, 23 March 2026
There have been tributes to a “selfless” and “brave” Kent Police officer who has died after being involved in a crash while responding to an emergency call. 27-year-old PC Bradley Corke died yesterday after being critically injured in the line of duty after a serious crash in Farningham last week. Also in today’s podcast, latest figures show there have been no new meningitis cases linked to the outbreak in Kent. It means 20 cases have been confirmed, with nine still under investigation – it’s as business bosses are hoping this week’s enthronement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury will b...
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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...
