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A DAD-of-five died after a row with poachers when yobs threw rocks at his boat, it is claimed.
Charles Hilder, 66, was allegedly pelted from the bank as he fished with his two elderly brothers in the grounds of Lullingstone Castle in Eynsford, Kent.
The angler, of Romford, Essex, died at the scene at 5pm yesterday and cops have launched a desperate hunt to trace two teenage boys.
Mr Hilder was named by anglers tonight while his devastated daughter paid a heartbreaking tribute.
Mick Lee, chairman of the Kingfisher Angling and Preservation Society, wrote: “The Society has been shocked and greatly saddened to hear of the death of Mr Charles Hilder at Lullingstone.
“Although the exact circumstances surrounding Charlie’s death are unclear we believe that he died after a confrontation with poachers.
“At this stage we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Charlie’s family and friends.”
Daughter Stephanie wrote on Facebook: “Last night our hearts broke to hear that our dad sadly passed away. Words can’t explain how we are feeling at the moment.
“Sleep well Dad. Give everyone a hug from me.”
Cops today confirmed he may have been “involved in an altercation” and they are looking to speak to “two boys or teenagers” who were seen near the lake.
‘OUR HEARTS BROKE’
It is not clear if the victim was actually struck but may have subsequently become ill near the famous 15th century castle.
Detectives have so far declined to publicly declare a murder investigation.
There were unsubstantiated claims the yobs used a catapult to fire rocks at him.
Mr Hilder had spent the morning before his death stocking the 14-acre lake at the historic castle with trout with the society’s director Martin Duffell.
A woman who answered the door at Mr Duffell’s house in Orpington said: “He was a member of the angling society.
He was a very nice, very kind man. He spent the morning with Mr Duffell stocking the lake with trout.
“It’s absolutely tragic – and it was in such a beautiful, tranquil area. Everybody is shocked. He was a very nice man.”
The death has shocked the tranquil village of Eynsford in the picturesque Darent Valley between Sevenoaks and Dartford in Kent.
Residents said groups of yobs have been wreaking havoc in the area in recent weeks.
One resident said the group – around 20 to 30 men aged in their 20s and older – have been targeting locals.
Recently, a cricket club manager was threatened with a broken bottle.
And he said that they also tried to steal a woman’s dog in nearby Farningham.
He added: “I wouldn’t be surprised if they were involved. Eynsford is usually so peaceful, but it’s been a nightmare over the past few weeks.”
Police officers were called to Lullingstone Castle in Eynsford, Kent, at 5.21pm yesterday, after reports that rocks were being thrown.
Armed officers rushed to the grounds, with cops later searching the fields near the manor house.
One witness, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I came out and saw armed police running up the road. Other officers told me it was now a crime scene.”
And a woman, who walks her dog past the castle every day, said: “I’ve been told by someone who lives in the castle it was an angler there who was killed.
“She seems to think there were three brothers fishing on the lake there and stones were being thrown at them. It’s shocking.
“Two of them came in and went home but one of them never did. They’re quite elderly.”
The incident comes after local residents expressed concerns over anti-social behaviour, with one saying: “Something like this was coming.”
On Friday afternoon, forensic teams began to photograph a silver Volvo V70 Cross Country estate car which was parked at the side of the castle gate.
Police forensic officers were seen gathering evidence in the estate’s 15-acre lake.
Formal identification by police and a post-mortem examination are yet to take place and the cause of death has not yet been established.
ANGRY LOCALS
Writing to local Tory MP Laura Trott on her Facebook page, Stephen Jury said: “Something needs to be done.
“The level of anti-social behaviour in and around the villages has become a joke and there isn’t a policeman in sight until it is too late.
“There have been several instances over the last week or so.
“Why does it take the death of an innocent man for something to be done? I just feel for that poor man’s family but something like this was coming.”
Ms Trott, who became MP for Sevenoaks in December’s election, said: “All our thoughts go to the victim’s family and loved ones at this time.
“I am speaking with the police and the local councillors this morning and I will raise your concerns regarding rising anti-social behaviour as a matter of urgency.
“This is something a few constituents have also emailed me about and I am very concerned by the reports.”
Lullingstone Castle was built in 1497 and is a tourist attraction in the area, featuring a 15-acre lake and several gardens containing international plants.
The estate, near the famous Brands Hatch Circuit, has been owned by members of the same family since the 15th century.
The castle, which opens for three days per week during spring to autumn, has shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Kent Police statement said: “Kent Police was called at 5.21pm on Thursday to reports of a disturbance in the grounds of Lullingstone Castle.
“Officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended and a man in his 60s was pronounced dead at the scene.
“It is reported he may have been involved in an altercation with two boys or teenagers near to a lake within in the grounds, prior to his death.
“Investigators are appealing for information from anybody who was in the area, including dog walkers, anglers and golfers, who witnessed the incident or saw two young people in the vicinity of the lake between 12pm and 7pm.
“They are also keen to obtain video footage from any vehicles that travelled along Castle Road or Shoreham Road, and any cyclists or joggers in the area between these times.”
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation should call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 28-1127.
