KentOnline

A bin lorry driver, who injured a woman after crashing into her car at a crossroads near Maidstone, has been spared jail and allowed to keep his licence.

Dino Farrell, 52, from Bedson Walk in Rainham, failed to stop at a four-way junction in Langley in February 2024 - having not seen a ‘Stop’ sign and an unbroken white line marking.

Also in today's podcast, lifeboat crews in Kent have issued a warning after being called out to several emergencies involving jet skis during the hot weather.

One was found abandoned near a shipping lane off Sheppey over the Bank Holiday weekend - while another man was rescued after getting stranded on the south side of Hoo Island on the River Medway.

Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, a group who want the UK to rejoin the EU will be walking through Kent over the next few days.

David Cameron was the Prime Minister when we were asked in 2016 if we wanted to leave the European Union. Campaigners are now walking from Parliament Square to Brussels.

The KentOnline Podcast has been hearing how a new book tells the full story of work to rescue five lions from Ukraine and bring them to Kent.

Cam Whitnall, who runs the Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford, organised a mission to save the animals from the war-torn country in 2024.

And in sport, it was two victories for Kent in their double-header against Sussex Sharks in the T20 Blast.

The men's team reached their victory target with 10 balls remaining at Canterbury yesterday, while the women won by nine wickets.

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A Kent widow who was conned out of almost £150,000 said her late husband was driven out of his home by a cowboy builder.

Two men have been convicted of fraud following an eight-week trial, after scamming victims out of a total of £1.3 million.

Also in today's episode, there are concerns children in Kent could go hungry during half term as a voucher scheme has been scrapped.

The county council previously provided £10 a week for pupils on free school meals to use during the holidays, but it has been withdrawn due to 'funding constraints'.

Roads are expected to be busy ahead of the bank holiday getaway, with thousands of people heading to the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel at Folkestone.

There is a warning new EU border checks could impact traffic.

Hundreds of people are going to be in Canterbury this weekend as the city hosts the only UK leg of a major European race.

The urban orienteering event will see competitors using a map and compass to navigate between check points.

In cricket, it is a double header as Kent's men and women get their campaigns underway in the T20 Blast today.

They are travelling to take on Middlesex in their first group game at Lord's.

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A grandmother who brake-checked a driver on a dual carriageway leading to a crash which killed a motorcyclist has been sentenced to five years in prison.

55-year-old Collette Gibson from Lime Close in South Ockendon, Essex was convicted of causing Paul Wright’s death on the A249 near Sittingbourne in 2022.

Also in today's episode, a registered sex offender who was caught talking to a 13-year-old girl online has been locked up for two years.

Police have released footage of his interview, where he claimed he only started the conversation to get her banned from a website.

A zombie knife has been seized from a teenager in Tonbridge as work continues to tackle violent crime in the county.

Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner says work by the Violence Reduction Unit has led to a 10% drop in knife crime, but conversations still need to be had.

The MP for Tunbridge Wells says it's "absolutely possible" to turn things around at South East Water as the search continues for a new boss.

The company's chief exec David Hinton is going to be replaced after major criticism following a series of outages.

An historic village pub near Dartford has reopened its doors after being shut for almost a year.

The Ship on Main Road in Sutton-at-Hone has been taken over by Nathan Hill - who is hoping to save it from decline.

And, bosses at an outdoor pool in Medway have told us they are expecting bumper crowds to kick off the season as temperatures are due to soar.

The Lido at the Strand in Gillingham will welcome visitors for the first time this year on Saturday.

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East Kent Hospitals is offering employees one-off payments to leave their jobs as part of plans to reduce their workforce.

Health campaigners have raised concerns about the loss of clinical staff, which bosses insist won't happen.

We are being warned to expect a busy weekend on the roads as Operation Brock comes into force on the M20.

The Bank Holiday and half term getaway will see thousands of people heading through Dover and Folkestone.

The MP for Folkestone and Hythe is calling for better support and action to stop ex-offenders committing more crimes.

Tony Vaughan says the re-offending rate is twice as high if people are unemployed, compared to those who have a job.

Thousands of children across Kent are set to benefit from a new £8 million creative learning centre - described as a "game changer" for young people.

Bosses at The Marlowe Theatre want to restore the 12th century Poor Priests Hospital in the city centre.

And hear from the team behind a new wine bar and restaurant in Whitstable.

Keller is taking over a site on Harbour Street.

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Detectives are investigating a crash near Tunbridge Wells which has killed a man and woman in their 60s.

The car they were in came off the carriageway of the A228 near Pembury and collided with trees in woodland yesterday.

A lorry driver who was on a video call with his wife when he caused a fatal crash on the M20 has been jailed.

The 58-year-old ploughed into a stationary car near Lenham last November, killing dad-of-two Arran McManus.

A man has been sent to prison after police found a large number of cannabis plants above a takeaway in Maidstone.

Bodycam footage shows the moment officers made the discovery on Sandling Road in October 2021.

Bosses at a farm shop near Canterbury have revealed how they have turned to social media in a bid to catch suspected shoplifters.

Gibson's in Wingham has started sharing CCTV footage of alleged offenders after alcohol and other products were stolen.

A Kent fostering agency has been telling us how they're coping amid a national shortage of carers.

Credo Care in Lydd specialises in finding loving homes for children with complex needs and disabilities.

And, a special needs school on Sheppey has opened a new sensory room and garden.

Elmley Dray in Minster has installed a music station and messy play activities to help pupils let off steam when they need time away from class.

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Hundreds of Kent children under the age of 10 have been recorded as suspects in crimes, ranging from violence and arson to weapon possession

A Freedom of Information Request has revealed the youngest person to be reported was a one-year-old girl.

Also in today's episode, residents in Maidstone say water is still pouring from a manhole cover - six months after the leak was reported.

They have raised concerns about bills going up while supplies are being wasted.

A man who works for the air ambulance charity that covers Kent has been telling us how he wants to give back, after they saved his life following a near-fatal crash.

Warren Porritt is teaming up with three colleagues on a fundraising challenge to walk five marathons in five days.

It is hoped new measures being introduced in Margate will tackle issues around underage drinking.

The Community Alcohol Partnership sees the police work with the council, schools, shops and community groups to educate youngsters and reduce anti-social behaviour.

And hear from a Kent dad who has realised his dream of owning a coffee shop to pass on a legacy to his kids, motivated by his difficult childhood in care.

Husband-and-wife team Barry and Sam Linsell have opened the Old Bank Coffee shop in the former NatWest building on London Road in Larkfield.

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A Kent auctioneer who starred on episodes of Homes Under the Hammer, has died.

Clive Emson started his career as an estate agent before setting up his own company.

Also in today's podcast, the Canterbury MP has revealed she would consider re-joining the Labour Party, if Andy Burnham became leader.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester is going to ask to stand in a by-election in a bid to make a return to Westminster.

It's thought he could then make a leadership bid against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer who's been under pressure since last week's local election results.

There's going to be a protest in Folkestone this weekend over the amount of sewage that's still ending up in our seas and water ways.

It's as no swim warnings remain in force at near by Dymchurch and Littlestone beaches, because the water quality there is rated as poor.

The parents of young boy from Kent with Tourette Syndrome have told the podcast there's a severe lack of support groups available.

Seven year-old Max from Sellindge was diagnosed last year but first started showing signs of tics when he was three.

After being dismissed by a number of GPs, he was seen by a specialist in London.

A boutique in Gravesend has closed suddenly, with the owner blaming an increase in running costs.

For Girlys has been trading in Stone Street for the past 30 years but is shutting down after a 65% increase in rent and rising overheads.

And in sport, just days after signing a new contract at Whitstable Town, Jamie Coyle has quit as manager.

He's joining Margate along with assistant Matt Longhurst.

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A Medway man has been banned from a gym after threatening to kill his former partner.

A court's been told Kyal Ferguson also said he would harm himself - and damaged his ex's property after turning up at her home.

The 39 year-old from Frost Crescent in Chatham admitted harassment and criminal damage.

Also in today's podcast, major repairs could be carried out on a property in Dover that's home to a number of businesses, after rain started leaking through balconies.

Dolphin House in Market Square was built in the 1950s and people who own companies below flats above say the situation is particularly bad during heavy downpours.

Kent's police and crime commissioner has launched a survey about changes to policing that'll reduce the number of forces across England and Wales.

The government announced the idea earlier this year.

A Kent man who spent six years trying to have a baby with his wife has described their IVF journey as a turmoil and brutal.

Toby and Katie Trice had two failed rounds on the NHS and spent thousands on private tests.

Toby, who's 35, is now a racing driver and is using that to raise awareness of male infertility problems.

And in sport, the man in charge of England cricket says Zak Crawley's time in the national side isn't over for good.

The Kent batter has been dropped from the Test squad for the first game against New Zealand this summer.

He struggled during the Ashes defeat in Australia over the winter, hear from England's director of cricket.

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A major incident was declared at a block of flats in Maidstone, following a flood which caused an electrical fault.

Miller Heights on Lower Stone Street has been issued with a prohibition notice after a burst pipe in the basement wiped out the power supply.

Around 200 people have been forced to leave their homes and are being supported by the local authority.

Also in today's podcast, there's serious division within the Labour party as the Prime Minister continues to face pressure to resign.

Yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer told his top team he won't be quitting, despite taking responsibility for poor results at last week's local elections in England.

Around 80 MPs have called on the PM to go - but 100 or so have signed a letter supporting him. Hear from two Kent MPs on either side of the debate.

A sauna and steam room at a sports centre in Medway is going to be replaced with a gym for under 15s.

Medway council is spending £700,000 on changing facilities at the site they run in Strood.

As mental health awareness continues, we've been told how hundreds of people in Kent have been offered help, thanks to a service that provides homelessness, debt and mental health support at the same time.

Live Well Kent and Medway is a network of charities and organisations aiming to break the cycle for people struggling with their wellbeing and cost of living crisis.

And in sport, Kent have added another player to their squad ahead of this summer's T20 Blast.

Dian Forrester comes in as a replacement for Senuran Muthusamy who suffered a knee injury at the start of the season.

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Three lorry drivers who attacked a man at a service station on the M2 have been jailed.

A court's been told the victim suffered multiple fractures, a bleed on the brain and seizure after it happened at the site in Gillingham in February.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent MP has joined calls for Sir Keir Starmer to resign after stepping down from her government role.

Naushabah Khan, who represents Gillingham and Rainham, says the Prime Minister has "lost the confidence of the public".

Folkestone and Hythe's Tony Vaughan is also calling for an orderly transition of leadership.

For the first time, we're able to hear the moment a teaching assistant from Iwade admitted to spitting at a child in her care.

The 47-year-old was questioned by police following accusations she'd physically abused four disabled pupils.

A man who was a key member of a county line drug supply network in east Kent has been jailed.

The 29-year-old was identified as a key suspect in 2022 - when a car he was driving spend away from police in Canterbury, reaching speeds of 72 miles per hours in a 30 zone.

A Kent driving instructor has told us he's concerned about big changes to booking a test that come into force today.

Learners are now the only ones who can do it via the government website. Previously instructors were able to deal with test dates, and amend them if necessary.

And, a new group's been set up to try and improve standards for mental health nurses in Kent.

Demand for support services has risen in recent years, and now a Nursing Council has been established to give staff more of a voice.

The announcement comes as we mark International Nurses Day which also falls during mental health awareness week.

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