Further Man Charged with Sittingbourne Attempted Murder

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have charged two men with four counts of attempted murder following a fire at a property in the Stockbury Valley. Officers were called to the scene during the early hours of Saturday 5 May and found that a mobile home had been set alight, alongside a number of nearby vehicles. Billy Smith snr, 52 and Billy Smith jnr, 28, both of Miller Close in Kemsley were subsequently arrested and have now been charged with four counts of attempted murder alongside one count of arson and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Mr Smith snr has been remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on 4 June and Mr Smith jnr has been remanded to appear by virtual link before Medway Magistrates Court on 8 May. A further five people have been arrested in connection with the incident, they are: A 54-year-old man from Stockbury who was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been bailed, pending further enquiries, until 1 June. A 23-year-old man from Stockbury who was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been bailed, pending further enquiries, until 1 June. A 20-year-old man from Stockbury who was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been bailed, pending further enquiries, until 1 June. A 22-year-old woman from Sheerness who was arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage. She has been bailed, pending further enquiries, until 31 May. All of the people involved are known to each other and officers are conducting ongoing enquiries