KentOnline

A “manipulative and controlling” bigamist who married his teenage step-daughter while still wed to her mother has been spared jail.

In a bizarre and unusual case, Maidstone Crown Court heard how he’d “exploited and abused the trust” of his family for many years.

Also in today’s podcast, specialist equipment has been brought in to help clear a motorway of debris after a lorry hit a bridge and jackknifed. 

It sparked long delays for motorists on the coastbound carriageway of the M20 after drivers were trapped behind the HGV. 

Business owners along part of the Kent coast say they are fearing for their survival after the village’s beach was classed as having “poor” water quality.

It was rated as “sufficient” last year but increasing levels of bacteria such as E. coli have resulted in the new ranking - and means people are advised not to swim there.

Fears part of a town will become a “car ghetto” have resurfaced as developers attempt to overturn the rejection of their bid to build a 250-home estate.

Campaigners were overjoyed when the proposals for land on the outskirts of Faversham town centre were dismissed, even holding a street party to mark the occasion. 

And an Evri driver who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer is “blown away” by a fundraiser set up for her.

The 65-year-old had to break the news to her family just two days before Christmas – the community have now come together to start the fundraiser. 

The landlord of a pub in Dover says he's devastated as the owners want to close it and knock it down.

The Bull Inn on London Road dates back 200 years, having first opened its doors in 1823, but it's due to shut at the end of February.

Also in today's podcast, the number of people in hospital with flu in Kent has more than trebled in a month.

Data shows 114 are being treated in the county - up from just 24 at the start of December. At this point in January last year the figure was 36.

Hear from Dr Julian Spinks who is a GP in Medway.

Kent could get a mayor in less than two years after a big decision was made on the future of how the county's set up at a local government level.

There was an extraordinary meeting of the full council yesterday to decide what steps they want to take. We've got an update from Roger Gough who is the leader of Kent County Council.

A report's found Medway Council's responsibility to provide support and access to adult social care "requires improvement".

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission have rated the authority in nine key areas and found staffing and recruitment are the main challenges. We've been speaking to the CQC.

Wildlife campaigners are calling for a re-think on an energy project they say could disrupt significantly important habitats.

Sea Link will allow National Grid to move electricity more efficiently around the country and will link Suffolk with Kent - coming onshore through Pegwell Bay. Hear from the Kent Wildlife Trust who're concerned about the impact.

In sport, Fleetwood Town are the visitors to Priestfield this weekend for John Coleman's first game in charge of Gillingham.

He's taken over from Mark Bonner who was sacked last weekend following a run of poor results.

A carer who, along with a colleague, stole £12,000 from an elderly couple in Sittingbourne has been ordered to pay back just £1.

Money was withdrawn from the victims' bank account over a four month period.

Also in today's podcast, huge changes to the way local councils in Kent run are set to take a big step forward today.

Bosses at County Hall in Maidstone are going to decide if we should be in the first step of the process - known as the Devolution Priority Programme.

It's likely to see smaller councils scrapped and replaced with fewer unitary authorities, with a mayor overseeing them.

Hear from the leader of Maidstone Borough Council and from a protest outside County Hall.

The MP for Ashford is calling on Sir Keir Starmer to help get Eurostar trains to stop in Kent again.

Services from the county to mainland Europe started 29 years ago but haven't run since the pandemic. Sojan Joseph raised the issue at Prime Minister's Questions.

A Kent expert's played down the chances of another pandemic despite a surge in cases of HMPV in China.

The virus was first discovered in 2001. It can cause a cough, fever and runny nose, but more vulnerable people could get bronchitis or pneumonia.

A Herne Bay man has decided to speak to the podcast about his frustration at not receiving any post since before Christmas.

Roger White claims he hasn't had important letters about health appointments or festive cards and gifts from family. Hear from Roger and the response from Royal Mail.

And, a Kent woman who launched a hotel service for hens is set to appear on the new series of Dragon's Den tonight.

Katriona Shovlin launched her business in Upchurch after noticing an increase in the number of chicken owners needing help during holidays.

A property management company looking after a 400 home estate in Faversham has had its contract cancelled after complaints from residents.

It follows years of discontent between FirstPort and people living at Faversham Lakes over finances and maintenance costs.

Also in today's podcast, forecasters say there's a chance of snow in Kent today.

A yellow weather warning's in force and we've been speaking to KCC Highways and a forecaster from the Met Office.

The MP for Tunbridge Wells is calling for more support for children in Kent who are suffering from Long Covid.

Mike Martin has raised the case of one his constituents during a health debate in the Commons.

People living close to greenbelt land near Wrotham say it's the wrong place to build a 200 space lorry park.

There are plans to build the facility at Wrotham Water Farm, with an access road near junction 2a of the M26. Hear what people have been saying to the local democracy reporting service.

MidKent College has revealed plans to use AI  to ease the workload on teachers and improve student outcomes.  

The technology will be used as part of a pilot program to help with lesson planning, grading and generating new teaching techniques.

And in sport, bosses at Gillingham have confirmed the new manager will have a final say on any deals in the January transfer window.

John Coleman's taken his first training session at Priestfield after Mark Bonner was sacked last weekend. Hear from managing director Joe Comper.

Frustrated residents say a popular countryside footpath has been turned into an impassable bog following dredging work.

The Environment Agency completed the work in November, but the foot-deep sludge from the drainage channel is still blocking the route.

Also in today’s podcast, a woman has been rescued from a vehicle by firefighters after flooding shut several roads.

It’s after heavy rains and flood warnings have been issued for the county – with more potentially severe weather on the way. 

There’s been a huge turnout at public meeting over Deal water quality after ‘do-not-swim’ warning issued at beach over sea pollution levels. 

You can hear from one campaigner who says it’s essential there’s action to improve water quality this year. 

The boss of a much-loved farm shop which is shutting its doors after more than 40 years says they’ve been “overwhelmed” by the response to the closure.

The site in Cliffe Woods will serve it’s final customers this Saturday. 

And for the first time you can hear from new Gills manager, after Mark Bonner parted ways with the club over the weekend. 

John Coleman is the new man in charge – and has told the KentOnline Podcast he’s got his eyes set on a turn around in form. 

A Medway mum has been banned from keeping dogs for life after neglecting her son's bulldog.

Tanya Alabaf, 42 of High Street, Wouldham, was looking after the animal while his owner was in prison - but didn't feed him properly and failed to take him to a vet for a chronic skin condition.

Also in today's podcast, Justin Welby's officially stepping down as the Archbishop of Canterbury today.

He resigned in November over the handling of a child abuse scandal.

A Kent woman has developed a new app which allows domestic abuse sufferers to raise a silent alarm.

Ask Joan works by detecting electrical surges, which means anyone at risk can send an alert by flicking a household appliance on and off.

It's hoped a hardhitting campaign at Kent's biggest shopping centre will have encouraged more people to become living kidney donors.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told how six people die each week while waiting for a transplant.

A shop window near John Lewis at Bluewater was transformed to represent that.

A Kent driving instructor has played down suggestions there are some testing centres in the county that are "easier" than others.

It follows figures which show Tunbridge Wells has the highest pass rate with more than 59%.

And in football,  Gillingham have sacked manager Mark Bonner after a string of poor results.

They're currently 14th in the league two table.

Former Accrington and Rochdale boss John Coleman will be taking over until the end of the season.

The owner of Kent's first cat café says she's determined to keep it open despite rising costs and falling customer numbers.

Cosy Cat Café in Herne Bay opened in 2018 and is home to 13 rescues. Reporter Millie Bowles who's been covering the story joins the podcast to explain more.

Also on today's episode, we're being urged to check on our older neighbours and relatives after temperatures dropped well below freezing in Kent overnight.

An amber cold health alert is in force until next Wednesday and there are concerns about wintry conditions putting more pressure on the NHS. A weather warning for snow and ice is also due to come into place this weekend.

Hear from a worker at an ambulance control room in Medway, Kent's director of public health and a forecaster from the Met Office.

A Maidstone man says he's been 'humiliated' after being told to leave a swimming pool because he was using a snorkel.

Kiril Georgiev from Bearsted had major back surgery just over 10 years ago and can't twist in the pool to breathe. He's been speaking about the situation and we've got a statement from the operators of the leisure centre.

A Kent business expert has been telling us how 2025 looks set to be a difficult one for our retailers.

It follows figures which show 13,000 shops on UK High Streets closed last year, costing nearly £170,000 jobs. Hear from Tudor Price who's from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.

A Gravesend woman has returned to her former school to try and inspire more girls to get into fitness and PE.

Megan Branch has taken a group of students at St John's Catholic Comprehensive through strength training which aims to help them feel confident in their bodies and abilities.

And in football, Gillingham's poor run of form has continued with a defeat to Bromley.

They lost 3-0 at Priestfield last night. Hear from a very disappointed manager Mark Bonner.

There are calls for action to improve safety at a four-way junction in Ashford, after several crashes.

This is where the A2042 meets with Elwick Road and Station Approach near the town's railway station and is controlled by traffic lights. Find out what residents want to happen.

Also in today's podcast, parents of students at an SEN school in Kent have accused the council of putting money before the needs of children.

Bradstow School in Broadstairs offers 24-hour support to children with the most complex needs but could close in August.

It's owned by Wandsworth Council who claim Kent County Council have failed to pay almost £2 million for their services, something they deny.

People smuggling suspects could face travel bans and social media blackouts under new laws.

The government is vowing to crack down on Channel crossings to Kent, as last year was the deadliest ever for people making the journey in small boats.

Quad bike riders have churned up the muddy ground at one of Kent's last remaining heathlands.

The damage at Hothfield Nature Reserve, near Ashford, was found after Christmas. Hear from the Kent Wildlife Trust.

The founder of a Kent baby loss charity has told the podcast it's bitter sweet to be recognised in the King's New Year Honours.

David Ward set up Abigail's Footsteps after his daughter was born sleeping in 2009 and has been awarded an MBE.

And in sport, Gillingham will be looking to get one over their neighbours as they take on Bromley tonight.

When the sides met in League Two last month, Bromley won 2-1. Hear from manager Mark Bonner and goalkeeper Glenn Morris.

A charity is warning people to be wary of fraudsters collecting money in its name after a woman in Tonbridge became the latest to be scammed.

The cafe customer thought she was donating to Disability Rights UK when she was approached by a young girl presenting as deaf. 

Also in today’s podcast, a thug who left the mother of his child “unrecognisable” after a ferocious beating told police he had "destroyed her face".

He made a harrowing 999 call after he had viciously assaulted his ex-partner with such force that he broke her jaw in three places.

Council bosses in Ashford have apologised after a workman buried his cat in a tenant’s garden.

The woman said she was left stunned when the subcontractor turned up with a shovel and made the bizarre request during the refurbishment of her bathroom.

A Tunbridge Wells mum says she and her children were left upset and disappointed after taking them to see Santa at a tourist attraction only to find it had shut without notice.

She says she received a confirmation email that morning - but when they got there it was locked up with no-one in sight. 

And in football you can hear from Gillingham striker Elliott Nevitt and from boss Mark Bonner ahead of what’s shaping up to be a busy festive period. 

It all kicks off on Boxing Day when the Gills travel to take on Colchester United. 

A Canterbury man involved in a brutal gang attack which left a German student with life-changing brain damage has once again been spared jail for a violent assault.

Despite being warned three years ago by a judge that he was being given a "last and final chance", the 22-year-old has since racked up numerous convictions, but the courts have decided not to put him behind bars.

Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a Kent MP who is demanding the government take action after it was revealed some restaurants and takeaways aren’t displaying the correct food hygiene ratings. 

Tris Osborne has described the revelations as shocking, and wants it to be made mandatory across the country. 

Parking at two major hospitals should become easier and congestion on surrounding routes reduced as new transport measures are brought in.

The NHS Trust which runs both sites is introducing a free park-and-ride service for patients, visitors and staff.

A disabled man is fed-up with bin men leaving his gate open - as it bangs in the wind and rubbish blows into his garden.

He says he’s even caught refuse workers failing to shut it on CCTV and council bosses are now investigating.

We’ve spoken to the Gillingham boss after their Friday night fixture ended in a draw. 

Mark Bonner admits it was a missed opportunity and it was a good performance that ended in a disappointing result.