Man Charged With Sheppey Farm Arson

A man has been charged in connection with a fire at a farm on the Isle Of Sheppey.

David Staples, aged 44 and of Kingsnorth Road in Gillingham, was charged on Wednesday (10th September) with one count of arson in relation to a fire at a property in Plough Road, Eastchurch, on last Wednesday (3rd September) which destroyed 5 stables and 10 tonnes of hay.

He was also charged with five counts of possessing indecent images.

Staples appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday (Thursday 11th September) and was remanded in custody to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 26th September.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Humpheryes told SFM News: "The entire Sheppey community has been understandably concerned about recent farm fires. I would like to reassure the public that we are taking these incidents extremely seriously and have been working closely with Kent Fire and Rescue Service. We will be meeting with the victims to update them on the situation and I would urge residents to allow police to continue with their investigations into the other fires."