KentOnline

A Ramsgate man's facing life in prison after being found guilty of murdering his baby daughter.

A court heard Thomas Holford, 25, of Wallwood Road had smoked cannabis in the hours before shaking five week old Everleigh Stroud, and leaving her with a catastrophic brain injury.

Also in today's podcast, the East Thanet MP is calling for more to be done in future to prevent a repeat of trouble seen in Broadstairs.

Fights broke out on the beach, local shops were targeted and a restaurant smashed up around a fortnight ago. We've been speaking to Polly Billington who is holding a public meeting.

Plans to build Netflix-linked film studios in Kent have had to be dropped - with bosses saying the scheme is economically unviable.

The streaming giant was expected to make Ashford's abandoned Newtown railway works its UK base as part of a £250 million redevelopment. 

The co-owner of a Kent karting circuit says a huge new facility there will make it a real world class venue.

Buckmore Park in Chatham has been given the go-ahead to build a state-of-the-art simulator room, new restaurant, bar and viewing terrace known as The Paddock.

A market for young people to sell home-made products is taking place in Ramsgate this weekend.

It's the third of its kind and the first in the town after the previous two were held in Margate.

And, the annual Kent County Show gets underway today.

The three day event will showcase farming, agriculture and countryside life, there will also be retailers, food stalls and family attractions.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A woman aged in her 20s has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing death by dangerous driving after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash.

Police say it happened as a black Ford Fiesta and a black BMW X5 were travelling south along Stone Street last night.

Also in today’s podcast, residents are worried plans for 750 homes will add to the traffic problems already plaguing a town.

Developers have asked residents in Lower Rainham about a possible development on land off Pump Lane, recently included for housing in Medway Council’s draft Local Plan.

Wetherspoon bosses have defended refusing to serve a disabled woman who brought her assistance dog into one of its pubs.

She was about to eat with a friend in the pub in Herne Bay when she was challenged over her shih tzu.

Thousands of people still have no water or low pressure following continuing supply issues in the hot weather.

South East Water has apologised to customers on part of the Kent coast for the problems, which started yesterday morning. 

And a pub on Sheppey has reopened under new management after a £200,000 refurb.

After being closed for a month for the revamp the new bosses have welcomed more than 200 punters into its new-look premises.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Water bosses have apologised after thousands of customers were left without water, or very low pressure, as temperatures topped 34C.

South East Water say the problem in Herne Bay was caused by particularly high demand across the county which caused storage levels of treated drinking water to 'fall significantly'.

Also in today's podcast, residents in Snodland say anti-social teenagers are becoming a growing problem - with youngsters blocking pavements and damaging property.

It's a particular issue on the High Street, where some people have been threatened and intimidated.

We've been hearing from a refugee charity about what they think can be done to bring down the number of asylum seekers crossing the Channel to Kent.

It's after figures from the Home Office revealed just under 20,000 made the journey in the first six months of this year, a 48% increase on the same period in 2024.

One of the men who used to be in charge of finances at Kent County Council says he doesn't know what Reform's DOGE team expects to find.

The department of government efficiency are out to cut "wasteful" spending after the party won the local election in May.

Joely Richardson has visited a community allotment project in Margate to see how it's helping children's mental wellbeing and development.

The actress is an ambassador for Save the Children which funds the project.

We've been hearing from Craig David ahead of his sold out summer concert in Rochester.

He'll be performing in the castle grounds on July 6th.

And in sport, Kent's Zak Crawley's due to open the batting for England in the second Test against India.

He hit 65 in the second innings of the first game.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A determined flat owner who managed to oust her building’s “overcharging” managing agent and halve her service charge is now on a crusade to help other residents.

She took action after the problems and poor service started almost immediately after she moved into the property in Unicorn Walk in Greenhithe  three-years ago. 

Also in today’s podcast, people are calling for a well-used route to become a dual carriageway before more than 1,000 homes could be built nearby.

The A2500 Lower Road on Sheppey regularly gets high volumes of traffic at peak times – you can hear from one resident who says it can be gridlocked for miles. 

A nursery in Tunbridge Wells has had its licence suspended while safeguarding concerns are investigated by the police and local council.

Ofsted sent parents of children attending Green Cave Nursery a letter informing them of the suspension last month.

A housing development so unpopular it sparked a street party when it was thrown out has now been given the go-ahead after the decision was overturned on appeal.

Developers have won the fight to build 250 homes on the edge of Faversham – almost a year to the day after Swale Borough Council rejected the plans.

And there have been tributes to a “kind and funny” grandmother who died after suffering a cardiac arrest at a cinema screening.

The Gillingham woman died in hospital following the medical emergency at Cineworld in Rochester.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dreamland says it is supporting the emergency services in their enquiries after the death of a 21-year-old man at a drum ‘n’ bass festival.

You can hear from a KentOnline reporter who was at the event in Margate – which was shut down hours earlier than planned following the tragic incident. 

Also in today’s podcast, a grieving family in Herne Bay believe a 73-year-old father was “put in an early grave” after being attacked by teenagers who left him lying helpless in the rain.

He was walking home to his flat when he was targeted by thugs near the seafront last December. 

We’ve spoken to fire bosses after number of blazes broke out over the weekend in the hot weather. 

Call outs included to a top-rated fish and chip shop which was forced to close after suffering from a fire in the early hours of Sunday morning.

There are concerns a strong, “toxic” smell coming from a new roundabout could be harmful to people’s health 

Work finished on the roundabout near Maidstone last November – we’ve heard from a motorist who thinks he knows the source of the “chemical” smell. 

And the date has been revealed for when new overnight parking charges and a ban on caravans at a scenic seafront dubbed a “squatter camp” will come into effect.

The measures come after Sheppey residents raised their concerns people were living there more than a year ago. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A man who murdered a grandfather from Tunbridge Wells has been told he'll spend at least 25 years behind bars.

Stephen Castle hid Wayne Woodgate's body in woodland after attacking him over a long-standing grudge last October.

The 59-year-old from Hastings Road near Matfield was found guilty by a jury following a trial last month.

Also in today's podcast, a teenager from Maidstone who left his neighbour with more than 50 stab wounds has been jailed.

Police were called to reports of a disturbance at a building in Fairmeadow last September. Hear the moment the 19-year-old was arrested.

The prime minister's made big adjustments to his planned welfare reforms following pressure from Labour MPs.

It means those with disabilities who currently receive the Personal Independence Payment will continue to get it. It's good news for people like 17 year-old Lukas from Ashford who had his leg amputated because of a rare condition he was born with.

A Kent weight loss expert is urging people who've turned to jabs to shed the pounds to make sure they're getting the right support.

It's thought around one and a half million people in the UK are using the likes of Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic.

Thousands of people are expected at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham tomorrow for Armed Forces Day.

There'll be military parades, bands and a service paying tribute to the skill and sacrifice of our armed forces - hear from Medway Council leader Vince Maple who will be there.

Football, and Gillingham fans have been planning their season after the fixtures were released.

They'll kick off their league two campaign away at Accrington Stanley on August 2nd - we just a full roundup from our sports reporter Luke Cawdell.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A brand-new special needs school remains empty months after opening despite being inundated by daily calls from parents “who want their children there”.

The independent provision, which has space for 40 pupils, is targeted at children aged seven to 16, with lower special educational needs who do not fit into mainstream schools. 

Also in today’s podcast, a cyclist has appeared in court accused of killing a pensioner after hitting him on his e-bike almost two years ago.

The victim was injured outside his home after the electric bicycle allegedly struck him while being ridden on the pavement in Rochester in 2023.

A farmer says he would be better off dying now to spare his family a £2 million inheritance tax bill before new rules come into force next April.

It’s as a new survey claims that up to 5,000 jobs could be lost in Kent and hundreds of millions of pounds wiped from its economy due to the controversial changes.

A family who say they were mis-sold an assistance dog with a hereditary hip problem now need to fork out more than £25,000 for his surgery.

The dog was bought for a 17-year-old girl in with autism and anxiety in the hopes it would “change her life” 

And controversial plans to overhaul one of Kent’s most renowned religious buildings into a holiday let have sparked a strong public backlash.

The landmark dates back to 1520 and is arguably one of the most photographed Christian sites in the country.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Herne Bay dad has issued a warning after his daughter suffered a badly broken leg when she was hit by a car while scrolling on her phone.

Dashcam video shows 12 -year-old Lola walking straight out in front of the vehicle as she messaged friends on Snapchat.

Also in today's episode, the founder of a Kent baby loss charity has told us she's reached out to Kelsey Parker to offer support.

The podcaster, who was previously married to Tom from The Wanted, has shared that her baby son Phoenix was born sleeping a week before he was due.

Kelly Wells from Making Miracles has been telling us about the help they offer to families going through baby loss.

An Indian takeaway in Folkestone has been given a one-star food hygiene rating after inspectors found mouldy chopping boards and holes in the kitchen floor.

Ivy was also discovered growing next a broken toilet in the staff area of The New Delhi on Sandgate Road.

A meeting has been held to discuss growing concerns about anti-social behaviour in Herne Bay.

One of the town's business owners has been telling us how children and teenagers are physically and verbally attacking people.

Some are reportedly throwing rocks and using catapults to target residents and visitors.

Elsewhere, experts in Kent are investigating whether tea can be grown in space.

They have teamed up with producers in Dartmoor and are planting saplings in soils similar to those found on the surface of the Moon and Mars.

And in football, defender Connor Masterson has signed a new deal with Gillingham.

The 26-year-old has played over 100 league games for the Gills and started every match under new manager Gareth Ainsworth.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The parents of a girl who was raped by three strangers have spoken out after the men were found guilty following a trial...

A court heard how the child was plied with drugs and assaulted by the group after they came across her in a supermarket car park.

Reporter Lauren Abbott has spoken to the victim's parents and joins today's episode of the podcast.

Also in this episode, police have told us a 'perfect storm' led to anti-social behaviour in Broadstairs at the weekend.

It's thought a number of young people from other parts of Kent headed to the town after the end of GCSE exams which coincided with the hot weather.

Fights broke out and footage online shows a restaurant being smashed up. Hear from a shop owner, local councillor and police.

Meantime,  the podcast has been told antisocial behaviour in Herne Bay has got so bad - there's going to be a public meeting about it tonight.

Police and councillors are due to face questions from fed-up residents and business owners.

The man who oversees the police in Kent has been giving us an update on how they're tackling so called 'heritage crime'.

It's after a high profile theft of two First World War memorial plaques from a church in the Luton part of Chatham last month.

Football, and former Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence has taken on a role at Blackpool.

He's joining the backroom staff at league one side Blackpool - joining up with former Gills player Steve Bruce who's manager there.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A couple say their new build home in Kent is still suffering from flooding issues eight years after they moved in.

The most recent happened during a severe storm earlier this month when water got into the front room of the building in Aylesham Village near Canterbury. Hear from reporter Millie Bowles who has been following the story.

Also in today's podcast, two housing estates in Maidstone could receive funding for upgrades, after being selected for a "trailblazing neighbourhood" scheme.

Senacre and Park Wood will receive £20 million over the next ten years as part of community-led renewal efforts.

One of Kent's new Reform UK councillors has told us we'll be 'blown away' by what a DOGE team have uncovered at county hall.

They were sent in to examine the finances at the county council after the party swept to victory at the local elections in May. Hear from Councillor Maxwell Harrison who is the new deputy cabinet member for communications and engagement.

The next phase of a £60 million regeneration project is due to get under way in part of Maidstone.

More than 100 new homes are already being built in Shepway.

A terminally ill Rochester woman has had her tongue rebuilt after a sore in her mouth turned out to be cancer.

Emma Byron was first diagnosed in 2023 before the disease returned the following year. She's now decided to do a 200-metre-high zip line above Lake Bled in Slovenia and has been speaking to reporter Charlotte Philips.

Students have moved into a multi-million-pound new building aimed at doubling the intake at Teynham Primary School.

Plans for expansion of the site near Sittingbourne were submitted in 2023 and work began last spring.

And in sport, Kent's Alex Mitchell and Ben Earl have arrived in Australia for a tour with the British and Irish Lions.

It follows their defeat to Argentina in Dublin on Friday night.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.