Angler stoned to death after row with yobs at castle lake
AN ANGLER aged 70 has died after allegedly being pelted with rocks by yobs he may have accused of poaching.
The victim, named as Charles Hilder by his angling club, is understood to have been in a row with the youths by a lake at Lullingstone Castle, in Kent.
Last night his daughter Stephanie said: “Our hearts broke to hear that our dad sadly passed away. Words can’t explain how we are feeling at the moment. Sleep well Dad. Give everyone a hug from me xx — feeling heartbroken.”
Police and paramedics were called to the beauty spot at 5.20pm on Thursday.
Mr Hilder was pronounced dead at the scene. It is understood he died after stones were thrown.
It was unclear last night whether Mr Hilder was struck by stones or rocks.
Shocked
A post mortem examination was being carried out to establish the exact cause of death.
Mr Hilder was a member of Kingfisher Angling & Preservation Society and was described as being kind and nice.
He had spent the morning before his death stocking the 14-acre lake at the historic castle with trout with the society’s director Martin Duffell.
A Kent Police spokesman said: “It was reported that rocks were being thrown. A man later died at the scene.
“He may have been involved in an altercation with two boys or teenagers near to a lake within the grounds prior to his death.”
The entrance to Lullingstone Castle remained taped off by police yesterday.
A single police officer and marked cars were posted outside the site.
The castle, an 18th century mansion with a 16th century brick gatehouse, sits on the river Darent along a quiet lane on the edge of the village of Eynsford, about seven miles south of Dartford.
Mick Lee, of Kingfisher Angling & Preservation Society, posted: “The society has been shocked and greatly saddened to hear of the death of Charles Hilder.
“Although the exact circumstances surrounding Charlie’s death are unclear, we believe that he died after a confrontation with poachers.
“At this stage we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Charlie’s family and friends.” A nearby resident said: “Locals in the village have been saying the victim is 70-years-old.
“Eynsford has a very high population of elderly people and a lot of them go fishing.”
The resident claimed groups of yobs have been wreaking havoc in the area in recent weeks.
He added: “Eynsford is usually so peaceful but it’s been a nightmare over the past few weeks.”