Man quizzed on farmer death bailed

Julian Gardner was found dead at his farm in East Sussex
12 April 2012

A man arrested on suspicion of murdering a farmer believed to have died in a botched robbery has been released on bail.

Julian Gardner, 53, suffered multiple injuries after apparently disturbing crooks at isolated Bush Barn Farm in Robertsbridge, East Sussex.

A Sussex Police spokesman said the 40-year-old man from Ashford, Kent, was arrested in the town and taken to a custody centre in Eastbourne to be interviewed before being released. He has been bailed until November 25.

Police believe Mr Gardner may have disturbed somebody who was trying to break into outbuildings at the farm, where he ran an agricultural and car repair business.

One theory is that his compression-type injuries were sustained when he was crushed between two vehicles.

His business partner found his body last Monday morning and detectives believe the murder took place some time after 11pm the previous day.

On Thursday, police began searching a pond in Sandhurst, Kent, a few miles from the farm, where a burned-out Cherokee Jeep was found hours after the killing.

The Jeep had been in for repair at Mr Gardner's business and has been forensically examined and removed from the site. Forensic searches were also being carried out at the farm.

A second 4x4, a Land Rover Defender owned by Mr Gardner, was also discovered burned-out at a different location, at Cripps Corner, near Battle, and it too was being examined.

His death came just days after a campaign to keep locals safe, with police, crime prevention officers, locksmiths and alarm firms offering tips to prevent burglaries.

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