KentOnline

A Chatham man has been found guilty of sending a fake bomb to a Covid vaccine factory in Wrexham.Anthony Collins, 54, caused the plant to be evacuated when he sent a parcel containing batteries in January.
Hear from our court reporter Paul Hooper who has sat through the trial.Also in today’s podcast, the deputy Prime Minister’s been defending the government’s efforts to stop asylum seekers crossing the Channel to Kent.More than 23,000 people have made the dangerous journey in small boats so far this year.A woman has filmed the moment a bus driver refused to lower a ramp so she could get on board.Hear the exchange between Anna Morell and the Arriva driver when she tried to get on a 155 service – we’ve also had a statement from the company.A foodbank in Medway is doing a reverse advent calendar to make sure it’s got enough supplies for families this Christmas.They’re asking for 24 different items to be donated throughout November to ensure meals can be provided over December and into the new year.A Ramsgate tea room has caused a debate after shaming a mum online when their baby left a mess under a highchair.We find out who you think should have to clear it up.And the parents of a little girl from Rochester who has a rare heart and lung condition are trying to raise money so she can travel to America for surgery.

A group of Insulate Britain campaigners have been jailed for breaching an injunction aimed at stopping them protesting on the M25.
You may remember there was disruption on the motorway in Kent as they sat on the carriageway and even glued themselves to the tarmac.
Now, nine of them have been locked up for between three and six months.
Hear a letter that was read on their behalf outside court.
Also in today’s podcast, a documentary is going to be on TV tonight about the murder of a young woman in Medway.
Molly McLaren was attacked by her stalker ex-boyfriend.
Social Media Murders is on ITV2 from 9 or via the ITV Hub.
Find out why your weekly food shop could be more expensive as figures reveal the rate of inflation has reached a near 10 year high.
Almost 9 in 10 shop workers have been verbally abused in the past year according to the results of a survey seen by the KentOnline Podcast.
Trade union Usdaw has released the details as they call for more to be done to protect staff.
Canterbury’s MP says she fears residents haven’t been listened to and is sad the city will be losing its street market.
Rosie Duffield has been chatting to our Local Democracy Reporter Jordan Ifield.
And, there’s reaction from the Gillingham manager following their defeat to Cheltenham Town in last night’s FA Cup first round replay.

A leading charity is calling for a youth jail in Kent to be closed following a damning report by inspectors.They found levels of violence at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution in Rochester had increased since their previous visit in 2019.
A report out today also revealed how boys were being kept locked in their cells for up to 22 hours a day.Hear more on the inspector’s findings plus reaction from the Howard League for Penal Reform.We have also been asking if you think youth jails are the right place for young offenders – find out what some of you have had to say.Also in today’s podcast, there’s been another drop in the number of people out of work in Kent, despite the furlough scheme ending.New figures show 51,100 people were claiming unemployment benefits in the county last month.A specialist clinic’s opening in Kent to help severely obese children, and young people who are struggling with their weight.It’s one of 15 sites across England as part of a pilot programme, and will offer things like diet plans, coaching and mental health support.We’ve got reaction from Ashford GP Dr Jack Jacobs plus your thoughts.Find out how undercover vehicles known as ‘supercabs’ are being used to try and reduce the number of crashes on the M25 in Kent.Our colleagues from KMTV have been out on patrol with police to see them in action.And you can hear from the Gillingham manager ahead of tonight’s FA Cup first round replay.

It is the size of more than six football pitches, cost £200m to build and employs over a thousand people – and we have had a first look inside the giant Amazon warehouse in Dartford.The facility sees robots working alongside humans to get parcels packaged and out for delivery.Our reporter Sean Delany had a look around and has also been speaking to Priyanka Bernard who is the site manager.Also in today’s podcast, a Kent MP says COP26 has “failed” young generations after The Glasgow Climate Pact was secured.North Thanet’s Sir Roger Gale has told the podcast the agreement has fallen short of the commitments needed to protect our planet.We’ve been discussing the state of Kent’s roads on an episode of the Lowdown on our facebook live.It’s feared some aren’t up to standard, as we head into the winter period – with potentially dangerous damage like potholes needing fixing.Hear from one of the county’s senior highways managers.Environmental campaigners say Christmas selection boxes are using excessive amounts of plastic.A post on Facebook, that’s reached more than a million people, has shown there’s often more plastic packaging than actual product.Reporter Laoise Gallagher has carried out an investigation and found this is typically the case with the cheaper priced boxes.And hear from the Gillingham manager following their draw with Sheffield Wednesday in league one at the weekend.

A cash machine has been ripped from a shop during a ram raid in Canterbury.Hear from our reporter at the scene in St Martins Hill and residents who were woken by a rumbling followed by a loud bang.Also in today’s podcast, a record number of people have crossed the Channel to Kent in a single day.It comes as French authorities search for three people who are missing after reportedly trying to make the dangerous journey in a kayak.A young man who had a finger bitten off during an unprovoked attack has told the KentOnline Podcast how it left him anxious to go out.Michael Connell was only 19 when it happened at The Milk House pub in Cranbrook.A former Love Island star from Kent has spoken about how he thinks the show and social media puts pressure on young men to look good.Footballer Aaron Simpson, who’s played for the likes of Maidstone United and Dover Athletic, featured on the last series and has been chatting on Tea Time Chats on our Instagram.There’s now a whole new meaning to the phrase Holy Spirit, as Rochester Cathedral launches it’s own gin.It’s called 604 which represents the date England’s second oldest cathedral was founded.And, we’ve been catching up with Gillingham’s Jack Tucker ahead of their league one clash at Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.

A teenager has been taken to a London hospital for treatment following a stabbing in Canterbury.Witnesses say the 17-year-old was able to stagger from Edward Road before collapsing outside a Premier Inn.Hear from reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks who has been to the scene.Also in today’s podcast, it’s the deadline for all care home staff in Kent to be fully vaccinated against Covid.It’s also been announced all NHS staff will have to be double jabbed by next April – hear from a GP from Strood and a solicitor based in Maidstone.A school is investigating after a fight amongst pupils broke out on a bus.Footage has emerged of the scrap on the Stagecoach service being used by students from Spires Academy in Canterbury.A homeless man who has been set fire to and attacked while sleeping rough says he’s hoping to put it all behind him after securing a job.Michael Cordes has been repeatedly targeted since he ended up on the streets in May following a relationship breakdown.He has been updating the podcast on finding work and starting training.And, remembrance events have been taking place on Armistice Day.Hear from a nurse who led the silence on kmfm.

Rats have nibbled their way through a data cable at a petrol station meaning managers were unable to change their prices.Hear from our reporter John Nurden who’s been following the story at the Tesco garage on the Isle of Sheppey.Also in today’s podcast, the health secretary’s refused to rule out making Covid booster jabs compulsory for restaurants, bars and on trains.It’s something that’s come into force in France. Hear from a virologist on why we need an extra jab and one GP gives us his thoughts on potential restrictions.In more health news, fresh support’s being given to new mums and dads in Kent who’re struggling with their mental health.More access to health care professionals like midwives and GPs is being made available after research found nearly 3 in 5 have experienced depression and low mood. Jo Harrison from Maidstone has been telling her story.As Cop26 continues in Glasgow, young people are meeting for a climate conference in Gravesend and say world leaders need to act more urgently.We’ve been speaking to the chair of Gravesham youth council.And, ahead of Remembrance Day tomorrow, we’ve been speaking to volunteers who’ve been selling poppies in Kent.

Kent MPs have welcomed news an independent inquiry will be carried out into the crimes of David Fuller.
The 67-year-old from East Sussex abused bodies in mortuaries at hospitals in the county where he worked as an electrician.
Hear from the health secretary who’s been speaking about it in the commons.
It’s emerged women taking part in a Reclaim These Streets march in Canterbury were abused by a number of men.
Hundreds gathered in the city to protest against violence against women and raise awareness of recent cases of drink spiking.
Influencers from Kent have been telling the KentOnline Podcast about abuse they’ve suffered from trolls.
They’ve been speaking out on Social Media Kindness Day which was set up following the death of Caroline Flack.
And, find out who Gillingham will play in the second round of the FA Cup, if they win their replay next week.

People living on a road in Ashford say people could be injured and vehicles damaged because it is in such a poor state.More than 300 people have signed a petition calling for Jemmett Road to be resurfaced. Hear from our reporter Alex Jee who has been covering the story.
Also in today’s podcast, the number of Covid patients in Kent’s hospitals has hit an eight month high.Hear from the chief executive of the NHS as there’s another call for all eligible people to have a booster jab in a bid to ease pressure on the health service this winter.A search is under way for a rare dog thought to have been stolen from a van at Bluewater.Björn disappeared while his owners popped into the shopping centre on their way home at the weekend.Michael Fox and Johanna Kerwien say they are desperate for the two-year-old Russian bolonka to be found.Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas has been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm about appearing in panto in Kent this Christmas.And, the Gillingham boss was not happy with the referee following their draw with Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup at the weekend.Hear what he had to say to our reporter Luke Cawdell after the game at Priestfield.

Warning: Some listeners may find the content of today’s podcast distressing and upsetting.
A man on trial accused of murdering two women in Tunbridge Wells more than 30 years ago has sensationally changed his plea to guilty.
David Fuller killed Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in 1987 and had initially tried to claim diminished responsibility.
Following his arrest in December last year, it was discovered the 67-year-old from East Sussex had sexually assaulted bodies in a mortuary while working at Tunbridge Wells hospital.
Hear the moment he was arrested at his home, from the chief executive of the hospital trust, and Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner as there are now calls for a public inquiry.
Also in today’s podcast, as the Cop26 summit continues we hear about a company in Kent trying to harness wind energy.
Young activists are also planning to meet in Medway later.
It’s bonfire night tonight but there are calls from some for the sale of fireworks for private displays to be banned.
Hear why it’s not always a great evening for pet owners.
And, Gillingham take a break from the league this weekend – find out who they’re facing in the first round of the FA Cup.