Murder hunt after farmer mown down as burglars flee

Detectives launched a murder hunt last night following the discovery of a farmer who was reported to have been mown down by a vehicle while confronting burglars at his property.

Julian Gardner, 52, is believed to have tried to stop the thieves at his farm in Robertsbridge, East Sussex.

A work colleague of bachelor Mr Gardner, 52, found him lying on the driveway when he went to work yesterday morning and he called 999.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, was reported to have said: “Julian was run over and killed as he was trying to prevent people robbing his farm.

“He was hit by the getaway car as he tried to stop these people.

“They didn’t stop to help him and instead left him dying in the driveway.”

Police were alerted by South East Coast Ambulance Service following the emergency call and rushed to the isolated Bush Barn Farm off the A21. Mr Gardner lived in a house at the farm, where he ran an agricultural and car repair business.

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

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert from Sussex Police’s major crime branch, who is leading the inquiry, said: “We are treating this incident as murder.

“The circumstances as to how and exactly when he died are yet to be established and we are not ruling anything in or out. The farm is extensive and methodical forensic examination will take some time. We are in the very early stages of this investigation.

“The victim was found by a colleague.

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

Chief Inspector Heather Keating, Rother district commander, said: “Rother is a close-knit rural district, with very low levels of crime.

“As well as regular patrols by officers, we have a well-subscribed community contact list, which is useful in keeping people in the area up-to-date about things that are happening.

“Today’s 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.”