Detestable person kicked, reportedly (4)
I believe the answer is:
toad
'detestable person' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'kicked reportedly' is the wordplay.
'kicked' becomes 'toed' (I've seen this before).
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'toed' is a homophone of 'TOAD'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for toad that I've seen before include "driver of reckless repute" , "A loathsome person" , "not found in Ireland" , "Hall proprietor (Grahame)" , "Loathsome creature" .)