Four men have now been charged in connection with the death of a man in Istead Rise almost 16 years ago.

Leonard Naylor was 46 when he suffered multiple gunshot wounds in a drive-by shooting on the driveway of him home in 2001.

Now four men have been charged with conspiracy to murder him.

They are Robert Blackwell, 51, of Atlas Road in Plaistow, London; Kane Ward, 52, of Boyd Close in Upminster, Essex; David Carvel, 51, of Plains Farm Close in Colchester, Essex, and Terence Barry, 43, of no fixed address.

Blackwell appeared before Medway magistrates yesterday and was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on April 5.

Ward, Carvel and Barry appeared at Medway magistrates today and will join Blackstone at Maidstone Crown Court on April 5.

It comes after the fatal shooting at Mr Naylor's home in Bracondale Avenue on April 18 2001.

Investigations immediately after the murder found Mr Naylor had been the victim of a professional 'hit'.

His attackers had driven past in a van and shot him, police said at the time.

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have continued to review the case and in the early hours of Wenesday morning warrants were executed at a number of addresses in Essex.

The getaway van used by his killers was found dumped and set alight under the A2 at Pepper Hill.

Mr Naylor, who was shot four times, in the head, neck, chest and arm, had previously been in trouble with police.

Officers had arrested him twice in the past. He was released from jail in September 1999 for drug dealing.

In June 1996 he was arrested for attempted murder but the case was dropped when the victim refused to co-operate.