Murder trial jury to visit scene of pensioner killing
A jury will visit the scene of the alleged murder of bird breeder Roy Blackman when a man goes on trial at Maidstone Crown Court later this year.
The visit to Heartsay Bungalow in Headcorn Road, Biddenden, is expected to take place on the third day of Mark Love’s threeweek trial, starting on September 5.
Mr Blackman’s naked body was found by his daughter Nicola on March 21. He had been bludgeoned to death.
Love, 37, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, denies murdering the 73-year-old former garage owner between March 18 and 21.
He also denies aggravated burglary at the home of champion clay pigeon marksman George Digweed in Northiam, East Sussex, on February 21.
Love and others wearing balaclavas are alleged to have entered the Digweeds’ house while armed with a hammer and Taser and stole cash, two shotguns, 300 cartridges, a credit card, four trophies, a watch, a Toyota Hilux car, a pair of binoculars, four pigeon magnets, pigeon cradles and four jackets.
Mr Digweed, who runs a shoot in Kent, and wife Kate were assaulted during the robbery after french windows were smashed on a Sunday night.
Mrs Digweed was ordered to hand over the keys to the car and thousands of pounds was stolen from a safe, along with trophies and prized shotguns, a Benelli auto and a new Perazzi High Tech.
Mr Digweed said later: “Kate and I were the victims of a horrific attack when masked men broke into the house.
“I was badly beaten and we were both subjected to a horrible period of time. We are both mentally scarred forever.”
Mr Digweed, who runs a commercial shoot at Owley Farm and the George Digweed Sporting Agency, both in Wittersham, has enjoyed a glittering shooting career ,with 26 world titles.
Love appeared in court on Thursday for a pre-trial review. He was remanded in custody.
One of the main suspects into Mr Blackman’s death, William Smith, was shot dead by police in a shoot-out at Goudhurst on May 1.