KentOnline

A man who caused more than £24,000 worth of damage to a Lamborghini parked in Ashford has been ordered to pay compensation.

The 49-year-old had been having a drink at the Low Key Taproom in Queen Street when the expensive car was parked nearby.

Also in today's podcast, a yellow weather warning for strong winds comes into force today and lasts until 6 on Sunday morning.

Storm Darragh is the fourth named storm of the season and is expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain to some parts of the county.

More than 30 people have been arrested as police crack down on county line dealers supplying drugs in Kent.

Over the course of a week, £120,000 worth of illegal substances were seized - knives, knuckledusters and imitation firearms were also found.

The outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury has made his final speech in the House of Lords, saying it was 'clear' he had to stand down.

Justin Welby is leaving over failures in the Church's handling of historical abuse cases.

A group of children have recorded two, original Christmas songs to raise money for their choir.

The Aylesford Community Youth Choir is struggling for funding and came up with the idea of releasing their music as a unique fundraiser. Hear from their musical director.

In sport, the Kent man who has been chair of the British Olympic Association for the past eight years has told kmfm it's time London bid to host the Games again.

Former Faversham MP Sir Hugh Robertson was the Olympics minister during London 2012.

And in football, Gillingham welcome Salford City to Priestfield in league two this weekend.

They'll be looking to bounce straight back from Wednesday night's disappointing 2-1 defeat at Bromley.

It's been revealed a Ukrainian man who was found dead in a Maidstone park had crashed his e-scooter and fallen into some water. 

Absolutely, an inquest has been told Anatolii Cherevko had spent a night at a friend's house before the 24-year-old's body was discovered in an area of Mote Park.

Also in today's podcast, our reporter Joe Crossley's been hearing about what's being doing to address an apparent increase in anti-social behaviour in part of Swale.

It comes just days after two staff members at McDonalds were attacked at Sittingbourne Retail Park - and a group of around ten people disrupted the Christmas light switch on event.

A weather warning's been issued for strong wind and heavy rain in Kent.

The yellow alert comes into force at 3pm tomorrow and lasts all the way through until Sunday morning.

Figures seen by KentOnline show there are less than 25 childcare places available in Kent for every 100 eligible children.

Ofsted has raised concerns about a lack of availability at nurseries and childminders in certain areas. We've been speaking to their Assistant Regional Director for the South East.

Dozens of schools across Kent and Medway have been recognised for the work they're doing to protect the environment.

Recycling, green transport projects and community litter picks have been highlighted at the annual Green School awards. Hear from pupils and a teacher from Wellesley Haddon Dene primary in Broadstairs who won the overall trailblazer award.

Football, and Gillingham have suffered their seventh defeat in nine games.

They lost 2-1 at Bromley in league two last night. Hear from manager Mark Bonner and goalscorer Robbie McKenzie.

A child sex offender held his head in his hands and cried “my life is over” as he was exposed by paedophile ‘hunters’ in a video live-streamed to thousands online.

Footage of the ‘sting’ was broadcast on Facebook after the Ramsgate man was caught engaging in sexually explicit chats with someone he believed to be a nine-year-old girl.

Also in today’s podcast, an arrest has been made over a huge fire that broke out near Canterbury Cathedral on Monday night. 

A teenager has been taken into custody – crews remain on the High Street today and a cordon is still in place. 

Tenants at a new build block of flats in Rochester have hit out after being hit with service charge hikes despite botched and non-existent repairs. 

Residents say the building is no longer fit for purpose and frequently has a drug user barging into their bin room at night. 

Neighbours of a proposed solar farm on Romney Marsh say the scale of the project is “devastating”. 

If approved the site will be the size of 840 football pitches leading to fears of the impact it will have on the surrounding areas. 

And in sport, you can hear from the Gillingham boss ahead of tonight’s league two local derby. 

Mark Bonner is hoping the fans will drive an improved performance away from home at Bromley FC. 

Canterbury city centre has been closed off after a fire broke out at an abandoned former department store. 

Firefighters have been working through the night at the site of the old Debenhams – one person has been treated for smoke inhalation. 

Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a man who was fined for driving on a street where traffic is banned during term time even though the school was on holiday.

He says he drove down the road in Chatham when the school was on half-term break and was shocked when he received the fine in the post. 

Two secondary schools could be closed by the government and reopened under new bosses after damning Ofsted inspections pushed them both into special measures.

The sites were rated inadequate and have now been issued “termination warning notices”.

Plans to turn an abandoned nightclub into flats have been scrapped as developers claim the housing market “isn’t particularly strong”.

Bosses in Ashford had given the green light for the transformation of the old Liquid site into housing, but it’s been confirmed that’s no longer happening. 

And a work is well underway to transform a former Kent gaol into a bustling cafe. 

It’s all part of the £10.5 million renovation of Dover’s Maison Dieu – you can hear from one of the coordinators about what it will all look like when it’s finished. 

A housing developer is trying to pull out of contributing more than £50 million worth of new infrastructure and community facilities - including a £30m major road improvement.

The future of the A28 dualling project in Ashford has been thrown into doubt as it emerged Hodson Developments wants to scrap or delay dozens of agreed commitments.

Also in today’s podcast, staff have been left in tears after their much “lifeline” charity store had to permanently close following a backdated rent increase.

The rental hike left them in £20,000 of arrears and meant it was unable to continue trading.

A plan to build 65 homes on what was once part of West Malling Airfield has been recommended for approval despite more than 1,500 objections. 

The application, first submitted in 2021, has proved deeply controversial with a petition against the plans gathering hundreds of signatures. 

A pensioner whose sinking house needs critical repairs says a council blunder has caused months of anxiety and cost him thousands of pounds.

He’s been told he even faces prison if he carries out any work on the 19th-century home in Herne Bay. 

And, while most of us get ready for Christmas, a Maidstone man is preparing to row the Atlantic.

You can hear from Andy Purvis who will set off on the 3-thousand mile journey to Antigua to raise money for charity. 

An investigation has been launched after a train derailed in what authorities have described as a “low-speed” incident near Ramsgate. 

The train was spotted off the tracks, sparking major delays on the network late last night. 

Also in today’s podcast, a heartbroken family has issued a stark warning after their three-year-old Yorkshire Terrier was killed on a golf course. 

Mel Lacey was walking his three dogs when he says one of them, Poppy, was hit by a utility vehicle.

Police hunting a convicted killer wanted on recall to prison have warned the public not to approach him.

Peter Clement was jailed for his part in the brutal killing of a man in the peace garden at Dane John Gardens in Canterbury. 

A popular all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant has been ordered to clean up its act after food hygiene inspectors found rat holes and droppings.

During the eye-opening visit, they also uncovered rusty kitchen equipment and a lack of hot water.

And you can hear from JLS star JB Gill on how he’s feeling now he’s made it through to the semi-finals on Strictly. 

He’s been telling the KentOnline Podcast how supportive former partner Amy Dowden has been, after she had to leave the competition because of a foot injury. 

A woman's received a fine for dropping a cigarette in Swanscombe, despite living 200 miles away and never visiting the town.

The fixed penalty notice was sent to Natalie Walton's parents' home in Gravesend.

Also in today's podcast, farmers unhappy with the government's changes to inheritance tax have been staging a go-slow tractor protest in Dover.

Around 100 vehicles headed through Whitfield towards the docks yesterday afternoon.

A school in Sittingbourne has sent a letter out to parents after a small amount of asbestos debris was found.

It was discovered after building work at Borden Grammar.

Kent shoppers are being urged to look out for scams if they're hunting for a good deal on Black Friday.

Many retailers are already advertising discounts ahead of the main sales event tomorrow.

But figures show scam attempts have increased by 80% over the last three years. We've been getting advice from Kent Trading Standards.

A charity's launched a campaign reminding us not to forget about older people as we head towards Christmas.

Age UK Kent Rivers says it can be an isolating time of year for those without close family or friends. Lucy's been speaking to them.

And finally, hundreds of people have queued up for the opening of a new Sephora store at Bluewater.

It's become popular for products including makeup, skincare and fragrances. Reporter Cara Simmonds joined the queue.

A bus company's investigating after a driver was filmed telling a passenger she gave 'disabled people a bad name'.

The confrontation happened after Nargis Fakhri, who uses a wheelchair, tried to board the 140 Arriva service at Strood Retail Park.

Also in today's podcast, we've been hearing how "Do Not Swim" warnings for some of Kent's busiest beaches will be a blow to local businesses.

The water quality at Dymchurch, Littlestone and near to Deal Castle has been rated 'poor' following investigations by the Environment Agency. It's led to fears it could impact summer tourism next year.

Hear from the leader of Folkestone and Hythe council.

The Chatham and Aylesford MP has been leading a debate in parliament over what can be done to tackle fly tipping.

Millions of pounds is being spent annually on clean ups and Tris Osborne says many people face a postcode lottery when it comes to dealing with it.

As one of the biggest stores at Bluewater closes for the final time today, another new shop is opening.

Reporter Cara Simmonds had a sneak peak around Sephora and spoke to the managing director.

And finally, a trader who's been selling ice creams, burgers and buckets and spades from a kiosk on Sheppey for more than 50 years has decided to call it a day.

Janet Deadman has made the difficult decision to leave the business in Beachfields, Sheerness. She's been speaking to reporter Joe Crossley.

The bosses of an air show being held in Thanet has told the KentOnline Podcast there’s no truth to the rumour it could have to be called off because of road closures. 

If the Manston International Air Show is to go ahead in 2025, it would mean major roads around the event would have to be shut – a move that could cause gridlock during the summer holidays. 

Also in today’s podcast, a Nando's restaurant which claimed to have closed for “some DIY” was actually pest-proofing to help solve its “mouse activity” problem.

Bosses were given a two star hygiene rating after the rodents were spotted by inspectors. 

Terrified neighbours say children “dicing with death” after climbing on roofs and into windows at an abandoned care home in Deal. 

The site is set for redevelopment but police have been called to reports of groups of youths accessing the derelict site. 

The head chef of a restaurant in Kent has told the Podcast what it’s like to lose a Michelin star.

You can hear from Graham Garrett, chef at The West House in Biddenden, on what it was like to lose the accolade after holding it for 16 consecutive years. 

And, charity volunteers have been left stunned after Home Bargains bosses would not allow a Father Christmas fundraiser to be set up in a Kent store.

RNLI organisers had arranged for their Santa to collect donations from shoppers and dish out goodie bags to children – only for volunteers to be turned away on the day. 

The family of a Whitstable man who took his own life, have questioned why his university didn't recognise that he was struggling with his mental health. 

Henry Jaques Duley hadn’t attended lectures for five months but no-one followed up with him in person – he was found dead the day before he was due to return to class. 

Also in today’s podcast, you can hear from a Kent pharmacist after figures showed an increase in assaults on pharmacy staff across the county. 

 It's thought some patients are becoming increasingly aggressive because of medicine shortages.

Kent’s Davina McCall says she's feeling grateful for all the support after an operation to remove a brain tumour. 

The TV presenter, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, has shared an update on her recovery. 

A well-known pub is having a £100,000 makeover after new owners stepped in to take over the lease.

The site in Minster is being completely stripped out and revamped ahead of its grand reopening this weekend. 

And, in football the Gills manager says the fans were right to boo the players as they left the pitch after Saturday’s performance.

Mark Bonner says he thought the 2 -1 loss to Harrogate Town at Priestfield was  disgrace.