They were friends – we can’t believe this has happened

Neighbours in shock over murder charge

A pensioner found dead in his home and the man accused of murdering him were often seen laughing and joking together, the Gazette can reveal.

Neighbours have told how Henry Messenger, 75, and Anthony Goodwin, 62, were friends who would visit each other’s homes in Crispin Close, Faversham.

Mr Messenger was found dead at his bungalow in the quiet culde-sac on Friday.

Goodwin, whose home opposite has been boarded up, was arrested and later charged with his friend’s murder.

Mr Messenger’s death has rocked the close-knit community on the North Preston estate, which was a hive of police activity shortly before 5pm.

Danita Godden, 58, lives next door to Goodwin.

“I only moved in recently but he had come round to introduce himself and he was very friendly,” she said. “The man across the road is Henry, or Harry as he was known.

“They used to sit in the garden together, talking and laughing. Tony used to go over there and be over there for most of the evening and Harry would come over here too.

“There was a hot day recently and Harry came over and was cutting Tony’s hair. They were having a real laugh. I could hear them out in the garden.”

Mrs Godden says she went shopping at 1.30pm and returned home to find police cars all over the estate.

Police taped off both bungalows and forensics officers combed the area before the cordon was removed on Monday afternoon.

Mrs Godden said: “It is such a quiet cul-de-sac and everyone is so friendly, so it has come as a huge shock.”

Landlady of the Brents Tavern, Angie Simmons, knew Mr Messenger well. “He used to come in a few times a week,” she said.

“He would come in when the bar was quiet and sit and have a few drinks.

“He liked his gardening and had recently been asking me about my tomato plants.

“He was a quiet, private person who kept himself to himself, and enjoyed listening to the conversations around him as he drank a Merrydown cider or occasionally a vodka.”

Painter and decorator Goodwin had lived in Crispin Close for seven years since moving from Oare.

It is thought he originally came from Ireland and was a father.

He appeared via videolink at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday) and sat with his arms folded during the short hearing.

Prosecutor Kathryn Hirst said a post-mortem examination was held on Monday, returning only preliminary results.

Judge Jeremy Carey ordered that Goodwin return to court on July 18 to enter a plea.

A trial date was set for October 30.

Paul Lamb, defending, said there was no application for bail and Goodwin was remanded in custody at Elmley prison.