DETECTIVES have arrested three people on suspicion of conspiring to pervert the course of justice in connection with a grievous bodily harm investigation involving a Kent businessman.

Members of Kent Police’s organised crime unit began investigating allegations of witness intimidation and a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in April last year.

The enquiry started after a businessman from the Whitstable area was attacked in a Medway nightclub. During the serious assault, he was struck with a bottle, which left him with serious injuries to his face. He is still receiving treatment for the injuries.

As a result of that incident, a 22-year-old man was charged with GBH and is currently on bail.

His trial had been set for Thursday, May 4, at Maidstone Crown Court. However, he was unable to attend because he was ill and unfit, which was corroborated with a doctor’s note.

Police say that in recent months the victim of the assault has been the subject of threats, which are allegedly being made towards him in an effort to dissuade him from giving evidence.

As a result of these serious allegations, Kent police began a major investigation that led to officers from the organised crime unit executing three simultaneous search warrants.

Following these warrants and the searches of three properties, three men were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, namely to dissuade a Crown witness from giving evidence.

The three men are currently assisting detectives with their enquiries.