KentOnline

A man who posted a racist video on Facebook following England’s defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 has walked free from court.
50-year-old Bradford Pretty from Guildhall Street launched into a rant following the penalty shootout at Wembley in July.
Hear what he said at the time and his reaction outside court.
Also in today’s podcast, there’s a warning not to go into the sea at more than a dozen beaches in Kent after a waste water leak.
The leader of Thanet Council has spoken out after it happened following heavy rain.
There’s an appeal for more volunteers in Kent to become flood wardens. Find out what they do and hear from a pub owner who’s suffered several floods in recent year.
An Australian woman is hoping to break the record for the number of cross Channel swims by a single person – she’s been chatting to Ismail Khwaja about the challenge of the event.
And Gillingham reporter Luke Cawdell gives his assessment of last night’s defeat to Ipswich Town in the EFL Trophy.
 

The Home Secretary has announced an independent inquiry into “systematic failures” within policing following Sarah Everard’s murder.
The 33-year-old was kidnapped by a serving Met Police officer from Deal who is now serving a whole life term.
Priti Patel has been speaking at the Conservative party conference. Hear what she had to say and find out from Kent’s police and crime commissioner how £750,000 will be spent on keeping women safe in the county.
Also in today’s podcast, the mum of a 12-year-old from Kent with a severe form of epilepsy is hoping the cannabis oil based drugs that improve her quality of life will soon be made available on the NHS.
A mum from Ashford who was born with only half her left arm is hoping her life could be transformed thanks to a bionic prosthetic.
Amy Brown has been speaking to our reporter Rhys Griffiths.
And you can hear from Gillingham’s assistant manager ahead of their EFL Trophy game against Ipswich Town at Priestfield this evening.

A woman has been filmed pleading with Insulate Britain protesters to let her get to see her sick mother in hospital in Canterbury.
The footage, obtained by LBC, shows the tearful lady desperately trying to get through traffic after the blocked the Blackwall Tunnel.
Campaigners have caused disruption for the fourth week in a row, with some again gluing their hands to the tarmac.
Also in today’s podcast, the head of the Metropolitan Police says she won’t be quitting following the sentencing Wayne Couzens from Deal for the murder of Sarah Everard.
He was a serving officer when he kidnapped and raped the 33-year-old.
A protest against a large theme park on land in north Kent has taken place.
The owner of Mu Mu in Maidstone has given us a tour around as they re-open just months after a devastating fire.
And, hear from Gillingham’s assistant boss after a disappointing weekend.

A nursery in Ashford has been closed following the death of a child.Ofsted has suspended the registration of Jelly Beans Day Nursery in the Kingsnorth part of town while an investigation is carried out.Reporter Rhys Griffiths has the details on what we know so far.Also in today’s podcast, you can hear details on what the Met Police are promising to do to improve women’s safety after one of their former officers was told he’ll never be released from prison.Wayne Couzens from Deal was off duty when he made a false arrest of Sarah Everard as she walked home in London in March.Her body was later found in woodland near Ashford after he’d raped and murdered her.A mum from Margate has issued a stark warning about little magnet toys made popular by YouTube.Elaine Hambly’s son ended up needing emergency surgery when he swallowed six of the tiny balls.We have reaction to a new law which means it’s now illegal for under 18s to have botox or fillers.It’s been introduced thanks to Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott.October seems to be the month to get healthy so we’ve caught up with Strood GP Dr Julian Spinks to chat about Go Sober and Stoptober.Plans have been unveiled for a new surfing attraction in Kent.Developers want to build it at Betteshanger Country Park near Deal.And we’ve been speaking to Gillingham’s Danny Lloyd ahead of their game against Wigan Athletic this weekend.

The man who murdered Sarah Everard while serving as a Metropolitan police officer will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Wayne Couzens from Deal has been handed a whole life order by a judge at the Old Bailey.
The 48-year-old was off duty when he falsely arrested Sarah before driving 80 miles to Kent where he raped and killed her.
Hear from our reporter who has been covering the sentencing hearing today.
You can also listen to the moment Couzens was questioned at his home about Sarah’s disappearance.
Also in the podcast, we’ve been speaking to a former London police officer on the impact this has had on the force as questions are asked about their handling of complaints about him.
Sarah’s death led to protests about women’s safety and we ask if anything has changed in the months since.
In other news, the furlough scheme ends today and there are fears it could lead to more people out of work and having to rely on food handouts.
We’ve spoken to an employment law expert and a woman who runs a food bank in Medway.
Parents are calling for a rethink over plans to close a school in west Kent.
High Weald Academy in Cranbrook is said to be no longer viable ‘financially or educationally’. One mum has been explaining how it would impact on her children.
And, find out why some mums and dads are stopped their children from playing on a green space in Strood.

Former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens ‘arrested’ Sarah Everard before murdering her, a court has been told.The 48-year-old from Deal, who was a serving officer at the time, is being sentenced at the Old Bailey.33-year-old Sarah disappeared while walking home in south London in March. Her body was found in woodland near Ashford a week later.Couzens admitted kidnap, rape and murder and two previous hearings.This is the first time detail about the killing has been revealed. Hear from our reporter Sean Axtell who is following the hearing.Also in today’s podcast, Insulate Britain protesters have been back out on the M25 at Swanley – despite an injunction meaning they could go to jail.We have the latest on the lorry driver shortages affecting supplies of fuel to petrol stations in Kent.Southeastern being stripped of its franchise has restarted a debate over whether the rail network should be re-nationalised – we have the results of a KentOnline Twitter poll.And the Gillingham boss speaks following last night’s win over Cambridge United which saw their goalkeeper hit with a coin thrown by a fan.

Southeastern, the rail operator which covers Kent, has been stripped of its franchise.Transport secretary Grant Shapps made the announcement in a series of tweets this morning saying the government will take over the running of services instead.Find out why it has happened and what it means for passengers and staff.Also in today’s podcast, we have the latest on the fuel situation in Kent as many drivers still struggle to fill their vehicles.We’ve been speaking to a haulier and someone who trains HGV drivers.The remains of a Roman temple that were found on a building site near Sittingbourne have been officially unveiled after being saved by locals.We’ve been along to Newington to see them.Hear from the Gillingham boss ahead of their trip to Cambridge United this evening.And a former Gills manager has taken over at Welling – we tell you who.

A number of petrol stations in Kent have run dry as drivers continue to panic buy fuel, despite being assured there is not a shortage.
The problem is with the number of HGV drivers available to get deliveries to forecourts.
BP warned last Thursday night that some of their sites may have to close – since then, drivers have been trying to stock up, leading to long queues at garages and delays on the roads.
On today’s podcast, hear how taxi drivers in Medway have been affected. We’ve also spoken to an uber driver who runs a logistics company too.
Plus we’ve spoken to a fuel campaigner who was targeted over the weekend.
A lot of you are also blaming the media for the current situation – you can hear our response.
Also in today’s podcast, Insulate Britain have been protesting again just days after blockading the Port of Dover.
Find out why a bus that has been converted into a social supermarket is going to be driving around Sheppey.
And, we hear from the Gillingham boss following their point at Oxford United at the weekend.

Two stories are dominating the news in Kent today – protesters blockading the Port of Dover and drivers panic buying petrol.
In today’s podcast hear why Insulate Britain are still blocking roads in the county despite a warning they could go to jail.
We’ve also been hearing from people stuck in the delays and getting reaction from South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay.
Meantime, there have been long queues at petrol stations across the county as some struggle to get supplies of fuel.
It’s because of a lorry driver shortage which the government says it’s working to solve as quickly as possible.
Our reporter Alex Jee has been to a forecourt in West Malling and we’ve been speaking to a logistics company in Dartford who are trying to recruit more staff.
You can also hear today from a Medway barber who is doing his bit to try and improve mental health.
Jake Cox trained as a mental health first aider during lockdown and reckons having a chat while getting a trim will help many men who may be struggling.
And, Gillingham midfielder Alex Macdonald has spoken ahead of their game against Oxford United this weekend.

A vigil is going to take place in Kent in memory of a teacher who police believe may have been murdered as she made a five minute journey to meet a friend.
Sabina Nessa is thought to have been killed in a park in Kidbrooke Village last Friday night – the 28-year-old’s body was found near a community centre the following day.
Naomi Gale from Margate is encouraging women to gather in the town at the same time a similar vigil is held in south-east London.
Also in today’s podcast, drivers on the M25 in Kent could face more disruption from Insulate Britain protesters – despite a new injunction.
Hear from a Kent man who says he’s prepared to be arrested again.
As freshers week continues in Canterbury it’s hoped students returning to campus won’t lead to an increase in Covid cases.
More than 35,000 uni students – including 10,000 freshers – are heading back to the city.
And we’ve been catching up with River Medway before her first appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK which returns to our screens tonight.