KentOnline

The mum of a baby who was murdered by his dad in Broadstairs has spoken exclusively to KentOnline as he starts at a life sentence.McKenzie Ellis was rushed to hospital in July last year after Lee Vernon called emergency services saying his son was unconscious. The little boy died three days later.At the time, the 21 year-old claimed his son had accidentally fallen from his grip and hit himself on the arm of a sofa before falling to the floor, but medical experts found McKenzie had suffered multiple injuries on at least two occasions.Vernon’s been told he’s got to serve a minimum of 16 years.Also on the podcast: the new Bishop of Dover talks about her plans for the county, shoppers react to redevelopment plans in Canterbury and we look ahead to a busy weekend of FA Cup action for some of Kent’s sides.

Gary Rhodes has been described as a ‘leading light’ by his former Kent school, following his death.
Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay are among those paying tribute to the celebrity chef – who grew up in Gillingham – and passed away in Dubai last night.
He became a household name on TV in the nineties and noughties, and was known for his distinctive, spiky hairstyle.
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Two men have been taken to hospital after being stabbed within hours of each other in separate parts of Kent.
One was pulled from his car and attacked in Folkestone, the other was found injured in a supermarket car park in Ashford.
Also in the podcast: the police commissioner reacts to a rise in the number of victim-based offences in Kent, taxi drivers say they’re pleased Uber’s been stripped of its London licence and a footballer reveals how winning a reality TV show changed his life.

For the second time in just over two years, Uber’s been stripped of its operating licence in London – which also covers Medway and Dartford.Transport for London says the taxi app is not “fit and proper”, and puts passenger safety at risk – but the cab-hailing service is going to appeal and calls the decision ‘extraordinary and wrong’.Also in today’s episode: university lecturers begin an eight day strike over pay and working conditions, Morrisons becomes the first supermarket to sell food past its best before date, and the Gillingham manager says Saturday’s defeat was a ‘smack in the face’.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

The mum of a teenager who died after taking drugs is urging other young people not to make the same mistake, on what would have been her son’s 16th birthday.Owen Kinghorn was found dead in a field near Ashford in September, and now his family are supporting the Kenward Trust’s Think Differently campaign which aims to educate youngsters about the dangers of substance misuse.Also in today’s episode: a man who started drinking at the age of eight is hoping to help other alcoholics, volunteers are being celebrated at a new awards ceremony and Gillingham get ready to take on AFC Wimbledon in league one.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

A student from Faversham has told us how she’s been caught up in clashes between riot police and protesters in Hong Kong.20-year-old Poppy Cleary went out there in August to study law, but over the last few weeks violence has been getting worse.Also in today’s episode: businesses in Kent are being encouraged to get together and come up with ideas to solve the climate crisis, and the county’s first Haribo store has opened in Ashford.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

Exchange students from Kent have been flown back to the UK from Hong Kong amid increasing violence there.Some anti-government demonstrators who’re holed up in a university have used petrol bombs to try and fend off riot police.Also in today’s episode, a former Gillingham manager has spoken out about getting death threats, a drunk mum has been prosecuted for attacking a police officer, and Gillingham are through to the second round of the FA Cup.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

Addiction in the UK is affecting people in the UK more than ever. A report by the Centre for Social Justice revealed about 1 in 3 drug deaths by overdose that occur in Europe happen in the UK. 
Jamie Cheney opened a private rehabilitation centre called The Recovery Lodge in Sittingbourne after suffering the throes of addiction himself.
Mr Cheney found himself addicted to alcohol and drugs, spiralling out of control and ending up in prison for brief stints before getting clean. 

The family of a former school teacher from West Malling are concerned her killer could be released in a matter of months.Badr Hashim Khamis Abdallah al-Jabr had twice been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering Lauren Patterson in 2013, but it’s since been reduced to ten years in prison.Now an attempt by her family to extend the jail term has been unsuccessful.Also in today’s episode: the mum of a young man who has a rare genetic disorder has been telling us how he’s getting on in his new job, and Gillingham are getting ready for their FA Cup first round replay against Sunderland tonight.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/