Farmer’s death sparks murder hunt

Police have launched a murder hunt after a farmer was knocked down and killed by a vehicle allegedly as he confronted burglars at his property.

The farmer, Julian Gardner, was found lying on the driveway by a colleague at Bush Barn Farm, Robertsbridge, East Sussex.

Mr Gardner lived in a house at the farm, where he ran an agricultural and car repair business.

The property was sealed off as detectives combed the area for clues.

Detective chief inspector Adam Hibbert from Sussex Police’s major crime branch, said: “We are investigating the death of a 52-year-old man after being called to a farm property off the A21 north of Robertsbridge.

“We are treating this incident as murder. But the circumstances as to how and exactly when he died are yet to be established and we are not ruling anything in or out,” said DCI Hibbert

“The farm is extensive and methodical forensic examination will take some time. We are in the very early stages of this investigation.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area overnight or knows anything that could be useful to get in touch,” he said.

Chief inspector Heather Keating, Rother district commander, added: “This tragic event will have affected a lot of people in Robertsbridge and my neighbourhood policing team will be working tirelessly to keep them informed about what we’re doing and to gather any information that could prove useful.”