KentOnline

A Sheppey mum has criticised the justice system after the man who attacked her son walked free from court.
Bradley Holding was 16 when he was punched while cycling along Sheerness High Street in December 2019.
The offender’s been given a suspended sentence because it took so long for the case to come to court.
Also in today’s podcast, a Sittingbourne woman has spoken about how her family’s been torn apart by the conflict in Ukraine.
Marina Hughes’ sister has managed to get to America, her brother is trying to reach Denmark while her mother and grandmother are stuck in Kyiv.
There’s a warning today the coronavirus pandemic is not over, as infection rates start to rise in parts of Kent.
Across the county more than 7,700 cases were recorded in the week to last Friday.
New owners have been found for the County Square shopping centre in Ashford.
It’s positive news for the site after the closures of Debenhams and River Island and confirmation Next and H&M with also shut their stores.
And, a Kent business that makes sensory clothing for autistic children has teamed up with Katie Price’s son Harvey.
Born Anxious is launching a new clothing range – designed by the 19 year-old – at a charity fashion show in London this weekend.

A leading expert fears fuel prices could reach £2 per litre by next month.
Howard Cox is calling on the Chancellor to take action as filling up our tanks gets increasingly expensive.
Hear from the founder of Fair Fuel UK.
We’ve also been speaking to a taxi driver who says their profession is starting to become unprofitable.
Also in today’s podcast, we’ve been speaking to some of the incredible volunteers from Kent who have been taking aid to those fleeing Ukraine.
As the conflict in the country continues following the invasion by Russia, hear from Kevin Tremain from Maidstone who managed to drive 10 refugees to safety and Vilius Domarkas who drove aid donated by people in Dartford to the border with Poland.
BrewDog looks set to open it’s first Kent bar.
It’s thought they’re eyeing up a venue at the new £115 million Riverside complex in Canterbury.
Hear from our business editor Chris Britcher on the growth of the company and recent controversy.
And in sport, the Gillingham manager is in the running for February’s manager-of-the-month award.
Find out who makes the shortlist alongside Neil Harris.

A Kent bar has defended its decision to give out free shots celebrating Russian planes being shot down in Ukraine.The Coastal Bar in Ramsgate posted an image of the blue and yellow drinks on socials.Laoise Gallagher has been looking at the reaction and speaking to the bar owners.Also in today’s podcast, Dizzee Rascal’s ex-fiancee has spoken out following his conviction for assaulting her, saying “wealth and status cannot be used to silence women”.A man who claimed to have been held at gunpoint which led to armed police storming his partner’s friend’s home in Herne Bay has avoided going to prison.Hear from a little girl from Maidstone who’s trying to help others after having part of her leg amputated.Eight-year-old Ivy Glover was born with a rare genetic condition.Bosses of a theatre in Kent that’s undergone a multimillion pound renovation say they hope it becomes a real community asset.Kings School in Canterbury have restored the Malthouse to its former glory and created an auditorium, studio space and even venues to get married.Find out why the opening of the new IMAX and 4DX screens at Cineworld in Ashford has been delayed.And, in sport, we have details on Kent’s men and women who’re both in action for England.

An investigation is taking place after a man found unresponsive on a road in Medway, died in hospital.Police and paramedics were called to Kingfisher Drive in Walderslade early yesterday morning.
Also in today’s podcast, taxi drivers in Canterbury have told us they fear for their futures ahead of a ban on ‘polluting’ vehicles.The City council is looking to phase out diesel and petrol cars and have only electric cabs by 2030.Hear from one driver who says it won’t be practical or affordable.As the war continues in Ukraine, we’ve been hearing from those delivering much needed aid to the hundreds of thousands of refugees who’ve fled the country.There are also concerns post-Brexit paperwork is leading to some supplies being delayed at Dover.A Medway mum is hoping fundraising will lead to pioneering research which could improve the life of her baby son.Little Leo is one of only 16 people in the world known to have an incurable condition.A Kent charity that supports parents who’ve experienced baby loss are getting ready to open their first shop.Making Miracles founder Kelly Wells explains why it’ll be different to many other charity shops on our high streets.In sport, the Gillingham boss reacts to their disappointing defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.And we have an update from the Winter Paralympics where Kent’s Millie Knight has been in action.

The mum of a man from Deal whose body was found more than 80 days after he went missing, is calling for his death to be treated as suspicious.Alex Holland disappeared from his parent’s home in November last year.The 27 year-old was found face down in water – something a psychic has revealed she had alerted police to before he was discovered.Also in today’s podcast, hear from a Tonbridge man who’s preparing to lead a convoy of aid to Ukraine.Arthur Smith is kitting out an old coach and plans to leave this weekend.Meantime, a vigil is due to take place at Tonbridge castle tomorrow.We’ve been speaking to organiser Jason Bradshaw who’d like as many people as possible to turn up and form a human chain.Ahead of international women’s day on Tuesday, we’ve been finding out about a festival taking place in Thanet.The Artistic director of POW! Thanet has been updating us on what’s going on.Find out which Kent athletes are in Beijing for the winter Paralympics.And, hear from Gillingham’s Ryan Jackson ahead of their trip to take on Bolton Wanderers this weekend.

A Rainham mum has spoken to the KentOnline Podcast about her battle to try and get her teenage son a place at school.Leanne Dale says Jack has been turned down by 27 schools and it’s now starting to affect his mental health.
The 13-year-old has complex needs including ADHD, autism and an anxiety disorder, and is getting tutoring at home instead.Hear from Leanne and find out what Medway Council has said about the situation.Also in today’s podcast, it’s a year since the disappearance of Sarah Everard and we’ve been told nothing has changed to make women feel safe of the streets.The 33-year-old was kidnapped and murdered by then serving Met Police Officer Wayne Couzens from Deal.He’s now serving a whole life sentence.Two men who drove mopeds into a hair salon in Kent on New Year’s Day have been jailed.One of them was caught because he was still wearing a GPS tag after being released from prison.Find out why four car parks in Canterbury have been put up for sale.Reporter Lydia Chantler-Hicks has the details.And, find out which Kent sports start is going to be getting an honorary degree from the University of Kent.

The owner of one of Medway’s most popular bars has said he could be ready to quit after it was served with a noise abatement order.Sanjay Raval runs the City Wall on Rochester High Street and says while he’s lodged an appeal, it’s left him feeling very despondent.He’s spoken exclusively to the KentOnline Podcast.Also today, a Kent MP has defended his decision to travel to Ukraine to see the war effort for himself.Gravesham’s Adam Holloway says he wants to make a contribution.Meantime, an open prayer day has been held at a church in Maidstone to support the local Ukrainian community – hear from one man who went along.A Gravesham teenager has revealed her shocking experiences of hate crime as a campaign get under way to tackle it…Schools are urging young people to speak out if they’ve been targeted.It’s feared new mums in Kent might be struggling to look after their babies because of the impact of the pandemic.Research has found more than six in 10 women feel they’re getting less support in the first six months after giving birth – we’ve been speaking to Alex from Gravesend who had twins during lockdown.In sport, find out how Kent’s Zak Crawley’s been getting on as England warm up for their tour of the West Indies.And, we’ve got details of the result of last night’s Kent Senior Cup game between Gillingham and Margate.

An inquest has heard the driver of a car which crashed in Headcorn killing four members of the same family was over the drink drive limit.Johnny Cash, Johnboy Cash, Miles Cash and Jacko Cosgrove died when the vehicle they were in came off a road and hit a tree in October last year.
Hear from our reporter Sean McPolin who was at today’s inquest in Maidstone.As fighting continues in Ukraine following an invasion by Russia, we’ve been hearing from Ukranian people here who’re desperate to help.Reporter Rhys Griffiths has been to an army surplus store in Folkestone where people have been going to get supplies.A University of Kent professor has also spoken about her sister’s journey to safety.In the Commons, North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale has called for Kent to do its bit to help with the processing of those seeking asylum.New powers to try and stop so-called boy racers in Dartford have been given the go ahead.Police are going to be given more powers to break-up late night car meets which often lead to racing on Crossways Boulevard – between the Dartford Crossing and Bluewater.We’ve been speaking to residents who say the noise keeps them awake at night.And, rail fares have gone up today for Kent’s commuters – and it’s the biggest hike in nearly a decade.The 3.8% rise means an average season ticket from Ramsgate to London will now cost £6,174 pounds – £226 more than last year.

Five days after Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of people continue to flee the country and seek asylum.
So what should our response be?
There are calls for the government to do more to allow Ukrainians to travel here and stay for up to three years.
We’ve been speaking to Bridget Chapman from Kent Refugee Action Network and getting some of your views.
Also in today’s podcast, a Kent mum has set up a petition calling for dyslexia friendly exam papers.
It’s been signed by more than 14,000 people so far – find out why Alex Castle thinks it’s so important.
H&M has confirmed its closing its store in Ashford after 14 years in the town.
We speak to the head of libraries in Kent on how they’re continuing to play a critical role in the community.
It comes ahead of World Book Day on Thursday.
And, the Gillingham boss has been reacting to their big win over Lincoln City at the weekend.
The result means they’re now just three points from safety in league one.

A Kent police officer has been sacked after being accused of groping a woman during a trip to Alton Towers.PC Thomas Hall was alleged to have touched the woman during an overnight stay at a hotel.Hear from our reporter Sean Delaney who covered the misconduct hearing.Also in today’s podcast, we have reaction from a University of Kent professor on the latest situation in Ukraine following the invasion by Russia.There’s potentially some huge news for jobs in Kent – find out which big company is looking to relocate it’s global headquarters to the county.Security has been stepped up at a new housing development in Medway.Hear from a resident of Rochester Riverside who’s worried about groups of young people who’re gathering.We’re starting to get details on what event will be taking place in Kent to celebrate the jubilee.In sport, we’ve been chatting to the Gillingham manager ahead of their game at Lincoln City this weekend.And, find out who’ll be joining Kent for the start of the new cricket season.