by Alan Smith and Andy Gray
ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk

A convicted paedophile’s home was attacked by arsonists for the second time last night.

A passer-by spotted flames from the terraced home of Reginald Chapman in Beaconsfield Road, Tovil, and raised the alarm.

It is believed Chapman has been staying at an address in Maidstone Road, Chatham, since he was released from Elmley Prison in May.

Charges against him of indecently assaulting a boy under 16 were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Chapman, 71, has an earlier conviction dating from 2006, when he admitted four counts of sexual assault on a 15-year-old boy.

He was given three years’ supervised community service.

It is not the first time there has been an attack on Chapman’s home.

In March, 88 families from the surrounding area were evacuated from their homes for 24 hours after an arson attack on his garage.

Acetylene cylinders were being stored there and there were fears they could explode.

The latest fire was reported at 8.27pm on Wednesday, and was attended by two pumps from Maidstone.

Firefighters quickly had the blaze under control but alerted the police because they believed the fire had been started with an accelerant.

A police spokesman said the two incidents were not necessarily thought to be linked.

Despite the attacks, residents said they felt safe living near the property.

A mum-of-two, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “Reginald doesn’t bother anybody.

“We know about his past, but he keeps himself to himself.

“There’s no proof any of the incidents were attacks on him, so we’re just getting on with life.”

Another elderly resident, said: “Reginald’s lived there years and there’s never been any trouble before now.

“I’ve never had any problems with him and there’s no good worrying about what might happen.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DS Sparkes at Maidstone Crime Unit on 01622 604 210 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference CY/016256/10.