Murder jury to visit death scene

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 at the bungalow 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 22

He also denies aggravated burglary at the home of champion clay pigeon marksman George Digweed in Northiam, near Rye, East Sussex, on Sunday, February 21.

Love and others wearing balaclavas are alleged to have entered the house while armed with a hammer and Taser and stolen cash, two shotguns, 300 car- tridges, a credit card, four trophies, a watch, a Toyota Hilux pickup truck, a pair of binoculars, four pigeon magnets, a quantity of pigeon cradles and four jackets.

Mr Digweed and wife Kate were assaulted during the robbery after French windows were smashed.

He was ordered to hand over the keys to the truck and thousands of pounds were stolen from a safe, along with trophies and two prized shotguns.

Mr Digweed said later: “Unfor- tunately, Kate and I were the victims of a horrific attack when masked men broke into the house. I was badly beaten.

“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 a glittering shooting career with 26 world titles.

Love, who appeared in court on Thursday last week for a pretrial review, was remanded in custody.

Roy Blackman was bludgeoned to death