This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/29/lullingstone-castle-man-dies-after-rocks-were-thrown-say-police

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Man dies at Lullingstone Castle after suspected stoning attack Man dies at Lullingstone Castle after suspected stoning attack
(about 3 hours later)
Kent police say victim, in his 60s, may have been in altercation ‘with two boys or teenagers’Kent police say victim, in his 60s, may have been in altercation ‘with two boys or teenagers’
Detectives are investigating after a man died in a suspected stoning attack in the grounds of a medieval castle. Detectives are investigating the death of a man found dead in the grounds of a medieval castle in Kent after reports of rocks being thrown.
Kent police said officers were called to reports of a disturbance in the grounds of Lullingstone Castle in Eynsford at 5.21pm on Thursday. They found a man in his 60s with injuries and he was later pronounced dead at the scene. Police said officers looked into reports of a disturbance in the grounds of Lullingstone Castle in Eynsford at 5.21pm on Thursday. They found a man in his 60s who was later pronounced dead at the scene.
A Kent police spokesman said officers had been told that “rocks were being thrown” and that the man “may have been involved in an altercation with two boys or teenagers near to a lake within the grounds” before his death.A Kent police spokesman said officers had been told that “rocks were being thrown” and that the man “may have been involved in an altercation with two boys or teenagers near to a lake within the grounds” before his death.
A crime scene was in place at the castle on Friday morning. Residents said there had been an increase in antisocial behaviour in recent days, with one saying: “Something like this was coming.” The incident followed what locals described as a recent spate of antisocial behaviour in the picturesque village around the 15th-century castle, where a crime scene remained in place on Friday.
Lullingstone Castle was built in 1497 and is a popular tourist attraction in the area, featuring a 15-acre lake and several gardens containing international plants. Lullingstone Castle was built in 1497 and is a popular tourist attraction, featuring a 15-acre lake and several gardens containing international plants.
The estate, near the Brands Hatch racing circuit, has been owned by members of the same family since the 15th century. The current heir, the horticulturalist Tom Hart Dyke, is a cousin of the comedian Miranda Hart.The estate, near the Brands Hatch racing circuit, has been owned by members of the same family since the 15th century. The current heir, the horticulturalist Tom Hart Dyke, is a cousin of the comedian Miranda Hart.
One resident, Stephen Jury, wrote to the MP Laura Trott on Facebook: “Something needs to be done! The level of antisocial behaviour in and around the villages has become a joke and there isn’t a policeman in sight until it is too late! One villager said a manager at the local cricket club had been “threatened with a broken bottle” earlier this week by a group of young men, in an incident he believes was reported to police.
“There have been several instances over the last week or so. Why does it take the death of an innocent man for something to be done? I just feel for that poor man’s family but something like this was coming!” “It was a thoroughly nasty incident and it scared the life out of the people who were there on an afternoon out,” he said.
Trott, a former adviser to David Cameron who was elected to represent Sevenoaks in the 2019 general election, urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Kent police on 101, quoting 28-1127. Another local, who did not want to be named, said the flowers and hanging baskets of the village shop and pub opposite had been removed and thrown into the road. He said the antisocial behaviour had increased since the lockdown, when more visitors had flocked to the area.
She added: “I would also like to thank those of you who have been in touch with me regarding increasing antisocial behaviour in the area. This was something I raised with the police and they have reassured me there will be an increased police presence in the area with immediate effect. My thoughts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones at this difficult and sad time.” Other residents said villagers had been approached by people trying to steal their dogs, and that a car had been broken into.
Eynsford parish council said it was aware of “the dreadful incident … and the other ongoing local policing issues” but said it had few details regarding the man’s death so could not draw any conclusions. One resident, Stephen Jury, wrote to the local Conservative MP, Laura Trott, saying antisocial behaviour in the area had “become a joke and there isn’t a policeman in sight until it is too late”. He added: “There have been several instances over the last week or so. Why does it take the death of an innocent man for something to be done? I just feel for that poor man’s family, but something like this was coming!”
The council posted on Tuesday that it had contacted Kent police “following reports of large numbers of visitors and antisocial behaviour over the weekend in the village”. Trott, a former adviser to David Cameron who was elected to represent Sevenoaks in the 2019 general election, urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Kent police on 101.
It said on Friday: “All councillors live in Eynsford so are as affected by events as all our residents, and have the same desire for answers and appropriate action. We will be continuing to ask for an increased police presence, and that this is put in place immediately, and will work with all agencies to look at a longer-term strategy.” She added: “I would also like to thank those of you who have been in touch with me regarding increasing antisocial behaviour in the area. This was something I raised with the police and they have reassured me there will be an increased police presence in the area with immediate effect.
The Lullingstone Castle Twitter account posted: “If you have seen the news, we just wanted to reassure people that Sarah, Tom [Hart Dyke] and everyone at Lull are safe and well.”Other residents on social media had complained in recent days about “mass gatherings” and other antisocial behaviour on cricket pitches near the castle. “My thoughts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones at this difficult and sad time.”
Eynsford parish council said it was aware of “the dreadful incident … and the other ongoing local policing issues”.
On Tuesday, the council said it had contacted Kent police “following reports of large numbers of visitors and antisocial behaviour over the weekend in the village”.
The Lullingstone Castle Twitter account posted: “If you have seen the news, we just wanted to reassure people that Sarah, Tom [Hart Dyke] and everyone at Lull are safe and well.”