KentOnline

Around 20 cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus have been detected in Kent.Scientists testing Covid samples have found something known as the S gene. It’s present in the Indian mutation of the virus but not the Kent variant which spread rapidly at Christmas time.Hear from Kent’s acting director of public health on what’s being done to deal with it.Also in today’s podcast we hear from a leading lawyer and from Victim Support about the criminal justice system in Kent.Some court cases are being delayed until 2023 – we find out why and the impact it is having on witnesses, victims and defendants.Plus we have details on the latest unemployment figures in Kent.And you can hear about the new Kent attraction giving you the chance to channel your inner Viking.

In today’s podcast we take a whistle-stop tour around Kent to hear from companies that are able to re-open, some for the first time in many months.
Hear from the boss of a soft-play centre, a restaurant manager and head chef, the chief exec of a leading brewery, a hotel boss and karting circuit co-owner.
We’ve also been hearing from a wedding planner who says, despite the restrictions easing, it’s going to take years for the industry to get back on track.
Also in the podcast, our sports reporter has a roundup of events fans are able to go and watch again.

Amazon has announced it will be creating more than 1,300 jobs in Kent.
The online retail giant is going to be opening a huge warehouse on the site of a former power station in Dartford.
Hear from our business editor Chris Britcher on that and more good jobs news for the county.
Also in today’s podcast, we’ve been speaking to a student who’s planning a march in Canterbury to highlight the issue of domestic abuse.
We’ve got an update following complaints made about the noise from an animal sanctuary near Sittingbourne.
A Kent group that support parents of children with Down’s syndrome have been chatting about the challenges of lockdown and looking forward to meeting again in person.
And, we’ve been finding out how million of pounds of lottery money is being spent on bringing one of Kent’s most important buildings back into use.

Four people have been arrested after a motorcyclist was killed in a collision in Swale.
Emergency services were called after the crash happened yesterday evening at around 9:45pm in Swale Way.
A 26-year-old man from Whitstable died at the scene after the two vehicles collided near the entrance to Milton Creek fishing lakes.
Also in today’s podcast, We hear from a Snodland man who set up a men’s mental health group after suffering during lockdown.
Tom Perry recognised the lack of support out there for men struggling with their mental health, after dealing with a mental breakdown at the end of last year.
And, final safety checks are being carried out on England’s longest and fastest zipline at Bluewater.

Hear the moment a police car was deliberately rammed during a high speed chase in Ashford.
Cameron McGlaughlin reached speeds of 70mph on residential roads during the pursuit in March.
Also in today’s podcast, hear from the president of the AA and three roads in Kent are named as the most dangerous in the country for young drivers.
Edmund King tell us what they are now calling for.
You might have noticed a rise in the use of e-scooters – but are they safe?
We speak to a councillor who is urging the government to run a safety campaign – we’ve also been speaking to a student who’s got one.
And we’ve been hearing about some of the world leading work being done in Kent to improve the way we all live.
From looking for pioneering medicine to improving our green energy – find out more about our special report.

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of PCSO Julia James.21-year-old Callum Wheeler from Sunshine Corner Avenue in Aylesham was arrested on Friday and charged late last night.
The body of Julia, 53, was found near woodland not far from her home in Snowdown two weeks ago.She had been walking her dog when she was attacked and suffered significant head injuries.Today, a reconstruction of the walk she was on has taken place – hear from assistant chief constable Tom Richards.Also in the podcast, abusive phone calls made by a Herne Bay woman to her husband have been broadcast for the first time.A Kent GP admits he’s nervous about people being able to hug again as Covid restrictions are eased from next week.And, the Gillingham boss could be keen on some of their loan signings returning on a more permanent basis.

Police have been given until this evening to question a man arrested as part of the investigation into the murder of Kent PCSO Julia James.
Meantime, forensics experts have been seen searching a house in Aylesham less than a mile from where the 53-year-old’s body was found almost a fortnight ago.
Hear from a neighbour who has seen the search taking place.
Also in today’s podcast, Matthew Scott has been re-elected as Kent’s police and crime commissioner.
We mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week by speaking to a woman who has been helped by Canterbury based charity Porchlight.
And, hear from the Gillingham boss following their final game of the season.

Police investigating the murder of  PCSO Julia James have released a picture of a man they want to speak to.It was taken last Wednesday, the day after the 53-year-old’s body was found near woodland not far from her home in Snowdown.
Assistant chief constable Tom Richards has been speaking at a news conference.Also in today’s podcast, one of the most famous names to graduate from an art uni in Medway has spoken about plans to close the campus.Earlier this week we told you how bosses at the University for the Creative Arts want to shut the site in Rochester by September 2023. Dame Zandra Rhodes – who was born in Chatham – studied there and is a former chancellor.And, Gillingham are preparing for their final game of the season this weekend.They welcome Plymouth Argyle to Priestfield on Sunday – hear from the manager.

New searches are taking place as part of the investigation into the murder of Kent PCSO Julia James.
It is now nine days since the 53-year-old mum-of-two was found near woodland not far from her home in Snowdown.
Police have today been scouring land in Womenswold about a kilometre away.
Also in today’s podcast, we hear the remarkable story of a man who has spent more than 100 days in intensive care in Thanet battling coronvirus.
A mum is pleading for more to be done about air pollution in Dartford after her son ended up in hospital.
And find out which players have been offered deals at Dover Athletic as the side prepares to go part-time.

Police have released a picture of PCSO Julia James in what she was wearing the day she was killed.The 53-year-old had been walking her dog when she was attacked near woodland not far from where she lived in Snowdown.Detectives are hoping the image will jog the memories of anyone who was in the area last Tuesday afternoon.Also in today’s podcast, our reporter Alex Jee is back at the scene of a house explosion in Ashford and has the latest on the emergency operation there.He’s also spoken to a father and son who pulled several people from the wreckageThe University for the Creative Arts has announced it plans to leave its campus in Medway.We’ve been to the Gurdwara in Gravesend to hear about the medical equipment being sent to help tackle the Covid crisis in IndiaAnd an investigation has uncovered a fake news website that last lifting content from KentOnline, hear the moment the designer was challenged.