Man charged with four counts of attempted murder after serious Crime Swoop in Sittingbourne
Serious crime detectives have charged a man 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 of Miller Close in Kemsley, was subsequently arrested and has now been charged with four counts of attempted murder alongside one count of arson and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. He has been remanded in custody to appear Maidstone Crown Court on 4 June. 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 28-year-old man from Kemsley who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and arson. He remains in custody as enquiries continue. ·. All of the people involved are known to each other and officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are conducting ongoing enquiries.
