KentOnline

We’ve been to meet three-year-old Freddie Alsey from Whitstable who could well be the smartest youngster in Kent.
He can already name all of the planets in order, say his times tables and even read books.
Even his teachers reckon he should have an IQ test. Hear from Freddie and his mum.
Also in today’s podcast, there’s confusion over whether or not a planned rise in national insurance will go ahead in April.
Some have called for the hike to be scrapped because of fears it’ll force inflation up even further and that will increase prices in shops even more.
But a government minister has said it will go ahead as planned.
We hear the thought of the deputy chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and a trustee from Canterbury foodbank.
Sittingbourne and Sheppey’s MP insists major work to improve the Stockbury roundabout will be worth the current disruption being felt by drivers.
Hear from Gordon Henderson ahead of another closure of the A249 this weekend.
A driving instructor also shares his views on changes to the Highway Code coming into force tomorrow.
A group of volunteers in Gravesham are working with the Home Office to find a refugee family that could relocate to the area to start a new life.
We’ve been speaking to the man who heads up the Refugee Welcome Group.
And, Gillingham caretaker manager Steve Lovell speaks ahead of their game against promotion chasing Oxford United this weekend.

The partner of a dad-to-be who’s spent six weeks battling Covid has thanked medics who have saved his life.Olly Toole was taken to hospital after struggling to breathe in early December. He was put on a ventilator and into a coma before being transferred to London.The 31-year-old had intended to get a vaccine before falling ill.We’re telling his story on the day further Covid restrictions in England are lifted.It’s now longer mandatory to wear a face mask in public places, and passes aren’t required to get into venues and events.We’ve been speaking to our resident GP, Dr Julian Spinks, plus a trader and busker in Maidstone town centre.Also in today’s podcast, researchers at the University of Kent have revealed how technology is increasingly being used by domestic abusers to monitor, threaten and humiliate their victims.Their report says there are more and more cases involving spyware to track partners or ex’s – fake accounts being set up, or stalking via social media maps. Hear from Dr Jason Nurse who was involved in the study.It’s the very first Parent Mental Health Day and a dad has spoken about how he struggled following the birth of his second child.Denver King set up DadSpace to help other fathers in similar situations.In sport, we have an update on Kent players in action for England.

A Canterbury police officer could lose his job after video emerged of the moment he attacked his ex-partner’s friend.Hear the moment PC Robbie Egan confronted the pair after she returned his belongings.The 30-year-old admitted assault and has been suspended by the force until court proceedings have ended.It’s been revealed an ambulance that crashed into the back of a cement lorry on the A21, killing a young paramedic, had taken a slip lane into a lay-by rather than the next junction.The vehicle was heading to an emergency at the time.Alice Clark died at the scene while the driver was taken to hospital life threatening injuries.A leading education expert in Kent has supported parents concerns that not enough school places have been created within a huge new housing development.Earlier this month we told you how mums and dads moving to Ebbsfleet Garden City were struggling to get their children into the two new primary schools there.Peter Read has described the issue as a ‘crisis’.People living on a mobile home site in Medway fear new security measures will leave some people unable to collect parcels or welcome visitors.The owners of Island Park in Hoo say staff can no longer keep opening the gate to an increasing number of deliveries. But some residents aren’t happy.In sport, Gillingham are off the bottom of the league one table after it ended 0-0 against Shrewsbury Town last night.We caught up with caretaker manager Steve Lovell after the match.

A Kent high street has been named as one of the most affected by the pandemic.According to experts, Chatham has lost 28 weeks of sales since March 2020 when the first lockdown came into force.It also has the fifth highest town centre vacancy rate in the south east.Reporter Chris Hunter has been there to find out what shoppers, buskers and business owners think.Also in today’s podcast, a criminal investigation is under way into allegations of lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.It’s after claims emerged that Boris Johnson had a birthday party at Number 10.Hear from our political editor Paul Francis.Figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show flytipping has increased in every part of Kent over the past year.We’ve been getting reaction from a farmer whose fields have been repeatedly targeted.A Kent MP is backing calls for new laws to prevent drowning, following the death of a six-year-old boy.Lucas Dobson fell into the River Stour in Sandwich in August 2019, and his body was found four days later.Olly Alexander has been speaking to our sister radio station kmfm about the release of his new album.Hear some of what the Years and Years singer had to say to Numi on the Hit List.In sport, Gillingham are back in action tonight and desperate for points.They welcome Shrewsbury Town to Priestfield in league one and the caretaker boss has described the came as crucial. 

A police officer has been left with serious injuries after being hit by a motorbike being driven the wrong way on the M25.The collision happened near the Swanley junction yesterday afternoon.Lucy has been reading some of the messages posted to the officer on social media as he receives treatment in a London hospital.Also in today’s podcast, startling figures show how many households in Kent are struggling with fuel poverty.Thanet is said to be the worst affected part of the county. We’ve been speaking to Alexander Rourke from the Thanet Iceberg Project who says the problem is so serious, some people have taken their own lives.A Kent MP has been speaking about the current situation in Ukraine.Both the UK and America have now withdrawn some people from embassies there, over fears Russia could be about to invade. Hear from Tonbridge and Malling’s Tom Tugendhat who is chair of the foreign affairs select committee.A former Kent midwife has told the KentOnline Podcast that she had no choice but to leave the profession, after being dangerously overworked and massively under-appreciated.She’s spoken out as new figures show that for every 30 midwives who train – 29 will end up leaving.In sport, hear from Gillingham’s caretaker manager as they dropped to the bottom of league one following a 3-2 defeat to top of the table Wigan Athletic.And, there have been more medals for Kent snowboarder James Barnes-Miller at the World Para Snow Sports Championships in Norway.

There are calls for more police to patrol a city centre park in Canterbury at night.Dane John Gardens has been the seen of anti-social behaviour and a number of serious crimes over the past decade and people living nearby are becoming increasingly concerned.Hear from councillor Nick Eden-Green who regularly has to walk through the park in the evening – we’ve also had a response from police.Also in today’s podcast, five drug dealers who were involved in the supply of cocaine across Kent have been jailed for a total of more than 50 years.The men were part of an organised network of criminals who bought and sold Class A drugs while using an encrypted phone platform called ‘EncroChat’.There’s growing concern in Downing Street that Sue Gray’s investigation into lockdown parties at Number Ten has uncovered damaging evidence.Hear from our political editor Paul Francis.Figures seen by the KentOnline Podcast show there’s been a big increase in the number of people buying electric cars in Kent.Almost 10,000 Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles were registered in the county between July and September last year – we’ve been speaking to EVision in Rochester.Caretaker Gillingham boss Steve Lovell shares his thoughts ahead of this weekend’s match against promotion chasing Wigan Athletic in league one.And, para-skier Millie Knight has been chatting after claiming gold at the World Championships.

A dad who repeatedly stabbed his daughter while experiencing a psychotic episode is suing the NHS for more than £1 million.Marc Traylor attacked his then 16-year-old daughter at their home in Hersden near Canterbury in 2015 and was only stopped when he was shot by police.Find out why he’s taking legal action.Also in today’s podcast, candles will be lit tonight in memory of a man who went missing last August. The body of Dan Venes has been found in France.Ministers have been defending their decision to list Plan B Covid restrictions in England.We hear from our resident GP from Strood, Dr Julian Spinks.And as Kent artists Tracey Emin asks for a piece of her work to be removed from Downing Street, shoppers in Rochester have been telling us if they think Boris Johnson should resign as Prime Minister over lockdown-breaking parties.A new inquiry’s looking into the supply chain of goods between Kent and the EU.Members of the transport committee have visited the Port of Dover and we’ve caught up with the chief executive there.A Maidstone couple, who won a million pounds on the lottery have revealed how it’s made a massive difference to their severely disabled daughter’s life.Adam and Amy Pryor picked up the win on the EuroMillions in August 2017 and have now got an assistance dog for five-year-old Charlotte.Find out which park in Kent will be hosting a series of concerts this summer.And, it’s disappointment for Emma Raducanu at the Australian Open while the fixtures are out for Kent’s cricketers.

It’s emerged a mum from Sheppey who died when the car she was driving veered into the wrong lane and collided with a lorry was ‘most likely’ distracted by her phone.Charlotte Buesden had just dropped her son at school when the crash happened on Swale Way in Kemsley near Sittingbourne last August.Our reporter Sean McPolin was at the inquest and has the details.Also in today’s podcast, we have news on changes to Plan B Covid restrictions – some of which come in as early as tomorrow.The mum of a three-year-old girl from Sandgate who was killed by her stepdad is calling for his prison sentenced to be reviewed.27 year-old Paul Marsh from Sandgate Road in Folkestone was locked up for 11 years in December after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Jessica Dalgleish.Here mum Hannah Butler has given a heartbreaking interview to our colleagues at KMTV.A man who’s thought to have been involved in drugs crimes in Kent is being hunted by police in Spain and has been named today as one of 12 most wanted fugitives.Hear from the National Crime Agency who are trying to track them down.We’ve also been speaking to a food bank in Medway as figures show the cost of living is at its highest for 30 years.And find out who Gillingham are interested in being their next manager following the departure of Steve Evans.

Three men are facing jail following a stabbing outside a snooker club in Maidstone.
Violence erupted when two groups, who’d been in Century Club on Lower Stone Street, clashed on the street outside in the early hours last July.
Hear from our reporter at Maidstone Crown Court who’s been following the trial.
Also in today’s podcast, could there be disappointment for Canterbury’s high street? It’s feared plans to transform the former Debenhams in the city may now not happen.
We’ve got more reaction to news the military are going to be drafted in to help tackle the issue of asylum seekers crossing the Channel to Kent in small boats.
Some politicians in the county have welcomed calls to reform the BBC and how it’s funded.
The licence fee is going to be frozen at £159 for the next two years.
The corporation says that will lead to ‘tougher choices’ that’ll affect viewers – but the government reckons it’ll help keep costs down for families.
We have the latest as demolition work at the old Splashes sport centre site in Rainham continues.
A park in Kent is getting a bench inspired by the Ricky Gervais series After Life.
Netflix is donating 25 of them to councils across the country, to give people a place to sit, reflect and share – find out where it’ll be going.
And, we have the latest from the Australian Open tennis where Kent’s Emma Raducanu has been in first round action.

A former teacher who groomed and sexually assaulted a pupil has been jailed for six years.Carly Dear was teaching PE at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls at the time. Hear from our court reporter Sean Axtell who’s been following the case.Also in today’s podcast, the military are going to be put in charge of preventing small boats of asylum seekers from crossing the Channel to Kent.We have reaction from Samphire refugee charity based in Dover.New rules around how long you have to isolate for if you test positive for Covid have come into force today.Dr Jack Jacobs from Hamstreet Surgery near Ashford has been telling the KentOnline Podcast what he thinks and if it’s part of living with the virus.Residents living on a new estate in Canterbury blighted by vandalism say they’re having to cover a £20,000 repair bill.Bollards, trees and swings on the Royal Parade site off Littlebourne Road have been damaged – our colleagues from KMTV have spoken to two women living there.You can also hear from wildlife charity BugLife after tens of thousands of pounds was raised to fight plans for a huge theme park in north Kent – in just 48 hours.And in sport, there was further disappointment for Gillingham at the weekend as they suffered yet another defeat in league one.We caught up with caretaker manager Steve Lovell after they lost 3-1 to Burton Albion on Saturday.