KentOnline

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.

Southeastern has launched an investigation following claims an employee ignored a woman having an epileptic seizure on a train.
A video has been posted on Instagram by the woman who confronted the worker after recovering.
Also in today’s podcast, climate change protesters who cause disruption on the M25 could now face a prison sentence.
National Highways has been granted an injunction against Insulate Britain who’ve blockaded the motorway at Dartford and Swanley in recent weeks.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps has been speaking about it in Parliament.
Kent’s police and crime commissioner is calling for the sale of e scooters to be stopped.
A trial of the vehicles in Canterbury has been scaled back from 200 to 100 – hear what Matthew Scott has to say about them.
We look ahead to the lowdown on our Facebook live which will feature the barber from Medway giving mental health advice.
And the Gillingham boss has been speaking following their 1-1 draw with Charlton last night.

People living in Seasalter have hit a nerve with those on Sheppey after making a jibe at the island.Residents claims plans to expand a holiday park with more than 90 new mobile homes would make the seaside village near Whitstable ‘become like Sheppey’.That’s not gone down well with people who call the ‘sunkissed isle’ home – including our reporter John Nurden. Hear what he had to say.Also in today’s podcast, a Kent woman’s spoken about being groomed online when she was barely a teenager.’Chloe’ was targeted by men who claimed to be the same age as her. She only realised they were much older when she spoke to them via web-cam.She’s now a mum herself, and is urging the government to make child protection a priority in their Online Safety Bill.We’ve been finding out what work is being done in Maidstone to tackle fly-tippers.There were almost 3,000 cases in the county town last year – that’s more than 8 reports every day.And, as Bake Off returns to our screens tonight, we’ve been catching up with Chetna Makan from Broadstairs who made the semi-finals back in 2014.

Twelve people have been arrested as they attempted to block part of the M25 in Kent.Insulate Britain had warned they were planning to cause more disruption as part of their climate change protest.They blocked the motorway on three days last week leading to hours of delays for frustrated drivers and now London’s Mayor has had his say.Also on today’s podcast, a woman who received abuse online after being confused for a criminal who has the same name has spoken about the impact it’s had on her.Some Tom Jones fans have complained about how long it took them to get into and leave his gig in Kent at the weekend.The Voice coach was performing at the Hop Farm near Paddock Wood. Hear from our reporter who was there.A campaign to raise £60,000 to buy two new bells at Rochester Cathedral has been launched.We have reaction to Kent’s incredible win in the T20 Blast at the weekend.And, hear from Gillingham’s manager following their disappointing defeat to MK Dons at Priestfield.

Knife-point robbers who live-streamed themselves being chased by police have been jailed for a total of more than nine years.
Hear the moment the gang appealed for other drivers to try and stop the patrol cars following them.
They were eventually stopped on the A2 – you can also hear the footage captured on an officer’s body worn camera.
Also in today’s podcast, Kent’s young football referee of the year has spoken out about the abuse he’s suffered on the pitch.
18-year-old Josh Williams is backing calls for more to be done as a number of refs have decided to give-up due to verbal and physical attacks.
We’ve been finding out how robotic technology is helping to cut operation waiting times in east Kent.
Some cancer patients had to delay having surgery during the pandemic and a surgeon has spoken about the impact it had.
Plus we look ahead to T20 finals day as Kent look to win the trophy for the first time since 2007 – hear from legend Darren Stevens and captain Sam Billings.
And tennis star Emma Raducanu has spoken about returning home to Bromley after her US Open victory.