Merry Christmas to all our KentOnline readers!

With the end of 2024 in sight, we have had a look back at some of the most crazy and shocking stories that have been reported on across Kent – from an Alexa going rogue to a gateau-eating stranger found on a front lawn.

Death-defying stunt by van driver on motorway

In August, we reported on a nail-biting moment that was captured on camera.

Shocking footage showed a man hanging onto the open door of a French van – his feet just inches above the road.

An anonymous witness described the actions as “mad” and a “pretty stupid thing to do”.

Nobody appeared to be harmed during the bizarre manoeuvre.

Is that lamppost supposed to be there?

A new block of flats became the centre of attention in November after a surprising addition.

People quickly spotted the architectural issue – a lamppost sticking up through the middle of a balcony.

Some joked it would help save on electricity bills while others said it could be a quirky fire escape.

The developer cleared up the confusion, saying it was all down to a tight time frame with the contractor and would eventually be removed.

Firefighters called after Alexa speaker goes rogue

Imagine waking up to find out emergency services broke into your home after concerned residents called 999.

The culprit? An Amazon Alexa smart speaker playing music at full volume for 10 hours without you knowing.

Emma Jane Nettleingham wasn’t even home when firefighters used a ladder to climb through her living room window.

The mum-of-two told KentOnline she “felt so guilty” and from now on will be unplugging the device whenever she leaves the house.

Major roads closed during search for missing dog

Most of us will do anything for our pets but one owner took that to the extreme in this report.

When Nicola Patterson’s Welsh Springer Spaniel, Phoebe, went missing, she pulled out all the stops to find the pesky pooch.

In total, her disappearance led to eight temporary motorway closures across an 11-day period, including the A2 and M25.

Speaking of the reunion, Nicola said Phoebe was a bit skinny but came “bouncing through” as if she’d just been out for a walk.

Why are our driveways on Rightmove?

In another strange turn of events, we shared how residents were left baffled after discovering part of their homes were put up for sale.

Several roads and driveways were listed on the real estate website for £2,500 by an unknown seller.

It prompted concerns among neighbours that parking charges and other tolls could be implemented along the streets.

At the time, resident Gemma Wyatt said it was “very bizarre” and “a confusing inconvenience”.

Comical ‘bin missed’ sign during collection fiasco

An ingenious couple decided to show their frustration towards a waste company in the most quirky way.

Problems with Suez resulted in rubbish piling up on streets and hundreds of complaints from fed-up residents.

Becci and Andy Duffus, from Sittingbourne, decided to bring some light-hearted humour to “bin-gate”.

Just like a Christmas countdown, they put up a wooden sign outside their home which showed passers-by the number of days their waste had not been collected.

Stranger eats gateau inside tent on front lawn

In June, we shared the shocking story of how a mum-of-three woke to find a stranger on her lawn.

Not only that, the bloke was found to be eating a family-sized strawberry gateau when he was caught.

It turned out he had pitched up a tent in the garden overnight.

Erika White described the act as “brazen” and she couldn’t believe the “absolute audacity of it”.

Fancy becoming a scorpion wrangler?

Our reporter Joe Crossley had a crack at one of the strangest jobs ever advertised.

Since posting the role, heritage centre boss Jenny Hurkett has had more than 40 people inquire.

Chief scorpion wrangler involves keeping an eye on the yellow-tailed eight-legged arachnids that live in the walls of a former naval base.

The creepy crawlies have lived on the Isle of Sheppey for more than 200 years.

Cats and children banned in new development

Controversial plans were approved this year to build 25 retirement bungalows – with two odd ​​conditions.

Those who sign up to the scheme wouldn’t be allowed to have cats and there must be no children under the age of 16 living on-site.

The weird request was due to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) being nearby, where there are nesting nightingale birds.

However, councillors questioned how this would be enforced as “older people tend to have pets as company”.