A Kent secondary school is considering making all pupils wear trousers, following complaints about girls in short skirts. The head of The Whitstable School has sent a letter to parents about plans for a gender-neutral uniform. Alex Holmes states that local residents and businesses have complained about 'inappropriate skirt lengths' particularly whe…

A court has heard a cocaine addict was so “out of it” on the school run that members of the public took her car keys and walked her children to class. Other parents became concerned when he stopped her car in the middle of the road – the judge told her it was one of the worst cases of drug driving he’d ever seen. Also in today’s podcast, you can he…

The ambulance service has apologised after a Canterbury man with a fractured eye socket had to get a taxi to hospital. Lee Newman had been out clubbing with friends at Club Chemistry and was attacked as he walked home. Also in today's podcast, a Canterbury woman who killed her husband then hid his body in their garden has been convicted of murder. …

Car park visits in two Kent coastal towns have dropped by more than 30,000 since “eye-watering” fee hikes were imposed last year. New figures reveal a slump across sites in Whitstable and Herne Bay following the decision to increase hourly rates to as much as £3.70 in April. Also in today’s podcast, a former lifeguard who “violently” shook a toddle…

The extraordinary life of a secret Kent millionaire has been unearthed following revelations about her amazing generosity which is set to benefit thousands of people across the county. She lived in a modest 1970s semi-detached home in Whitstable but gifted her considerable wealth to numerous local good causes after she died in 2022 aged 98. Also in…

Two teenagers have been convicted for their role in an attack on a 16-year-old boy who suffered life-changing injuries after being chased onto train tracks in Thanet. Ted Warne-Harvey was electrocuted after falling onto a live rail at Westgate station. Also on today's podcast, a 12 week inquiry into plans to build thousands of new homes near Sittin…

A KentOnline investigation has uncovered serious flaws with the anti-terror system designed to protect the centre of Canterbury. We found bollards that were installed to stop vehicles getting into the pedestrianised zone either weren't working, or could be easily by passed. Hear from reporter Brad Harper and Chris Phillips who's the former head of …

A business owner who spent £300,000 renovating his town centre shop is calling for compensation after being ordered to leave. He says he used his life savings to the store in Park Mall, but council say the whole mall will be demolished early next year to make way for a car park - and has given all traders six months to leave. Also in today’s podcas…

It's been revealed more than £4 million worth of taxpayers' money was spent on plans for a new development near Folkestone which never materialised. Bosses in the previous administration wanted to build 150 homes and a leisure centre at Princes Parade in Hythe, but the proposals were later scrapped. Hear from Jim Martin who is the current leader of…

Two men who kidnapped a drunk woman from a bar with the intention of sexually assaulting her are facing lengthy spells behind bars. They were caught on camera as they dragged and carried their limp victim away from Clique in Ramsgate's Harbour Parade to a property in nearby Kent Terrace. Also in today’s podcast, a car enthusiast has been laid to re…

A Kent campsite has been given permission to extend its opening hours - despite concern from people living nearby over noise. Lilyroos Glamping near Deal will be able to welcome visitors for 11 months of the year, instead of just seven. Hear from reporter Louis Walker who has been following the story. Also in today's podcast, an inquiry into the de…

Star of The Apprentice, Johnny Heaver, has taken to TikTok to explain his facial scars.. The 23-year-old from Deal is still in the process and is hoping to become Lord Sugar's next business partner, but his appearance has prompted speculation online. He now says he wants to set the record straight. Also in today's podcast, the sister of an artist w…

A “caring and loving” young man who was “always there for anyone” died after suffering hypothermia and drowning in a river. An inquest has heard 25-year-old Regan Phillips disappeared after enjoying a night out with work colleagues in Rochester. Also in today’s podcast, sickening footage shows the moment a cruel teen holds up a dead seagull by its …

Traders in a shopping centre in Ashford say a decision to demolish the site is "brutal"... The council have announced the closure-hit Park Mall centre will be temporarily replaced with a car park, while plans are considered for its redevelopment. Also in today's podcast, campaigners against a new road tunnel linking Kent and Essex have suggested a …

The family of a sub-postmistress “shunned in the street” after being convicted of stealing thousands from the branch she ran hope to finally prove her innocence 27 years on. Pat Owen was found guilty of theft from the post office near Canterbury in 1998 despite denying she had anything to do with a £6,000 shortfall in its accounts. Also in today’s …

The Queen is in Kent today to unveil a statue of a heroine of English literature, credited with being the first full-time professional woman writer. Her Majesty arrived in Canterbury high street to reveal the bronze figure Aphra Behn – who was born to a Kent barber in the 17th Century, and then went on to lead an extraordinary life. Also in today’s…

A police sergeant caught naked near a children’s play park has been spared a criminal conviction after prosecutors rejected appeals for him to face more serious charges. He’s escaped with just a caution after he was spotted by shocked dog walkers loitering with no clothes on in woodland in Chatham. Also in today’s podcast, an inquest has heard a fa…

It has emerged the debt-ridden University of Kent has splashed out £20,000 on a canopy just weeks after it was revealed it is paying £7,000 a month for an empty bar. Students at the Medway campus have been left unimpressed with the newly-built shelter - labelling it “worthless” and a “waste of money”. Also in today’s podcast, there’s been an update…

A 39-year-old dad-of-four has been given the “crushing” news he has just 18 months to live as the cancer he hoped he had defeated has returned and spread. The Kent community has rallied to support Matt Jones following the devastating diagnosis, which has left him fearing his youngest children will “not even remember me when I’m gone”. Also in today…

A trial has heard a Canterbury woman fatally stabbed her estranged husband repeatedly in the chest and through the heart, before storing his body - dressed in his underwear - in a cupboard in her bedroom. The discovery of the 65-year-old's remains was made on July 11 last year after a police officer investigating his disappearance and experienced i…

A dad who's been described as a 'true gentleman' has died in a house fire in Canterbury. Ian Jameson and his two dogs were discovered at the property in Hersden on Friday night, now a fundraiser has been set up to support his family. Also in today's podcast, CCTV from near to where a woman was shot outside a Kent pub on Valentine's Day has emerged.…

A community has spoken of their shock after a Valentine's Day shooting outside a Kent pub. Police and paramedics had been called to the Three Horseshoes in Knockholt at around 7pm on Friday. A woman in her 40s had been seriously injured and died at the scene. Also in today's podcast, there's been a backlash over plans to build 450-homes on a flood …

New figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show almost 3,000 patients were left waiting more than 12 hours for a bed at a Kent hospital in January. Three out of four trusts covering the county recorded their worst-ever emergency figures last month. In 2020 the figure for a long wait was just five patients. Also in today's episode, the MP for Sittin…

First today we hear from the dad of a Harrietsham woman who died in her sleep just hours after an ambulance was stood down while on its way to her home. Mum of two Karen Ovenell had called 999 after suffering sharp chest pains in August last year. An inquest into the 43-year-old's death has heard how the initial call handler booked an ambulance - b…

A drunk mum who broke her friend’s eye socket in a vicious nightclub attack has been spared jail after her victim told a judge: “I don’t want her to go to prison, she’s pregnant.” Nadine Telfer, who is due to give birth in two weeks, faced a spell behind bars after dragging another woman to the floor by her hair and punching her in the face. Also i…