A SUSPECTED would-be robber shot by police marksmen outside a Kent building society died from multiple gunshot wounds, it has been revealed.

Robert Haines, 41, of Canterbury Road, Challock, near Ashford, died in hospital after being shot outside the Nationwide building society in New Romney High Street on Tuesday, October 31.

He died from his wounds at the Willliam Harvey Hospital at Ashford. An inquest in to his death was opened and adjourned at Ashford court on Thursday.

Mr Haines had lived in Challock for about four years, with his wife Gillian and their two children.

Three men have been charged following the attempted armed robbery at the building society.

They appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court last week and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance, a preliminary hearing, on Friday, November 17 at Maidstone Crown Court.

On Wednesday, relatives and friends of Mr Haines laid flowers and tributes in his memory near the spot where the shooting happened. .

A crowd of up to 30 people took bouquets to the car park behind the building society. Notes and photographs were also been posted on trees in the area.

Mr Haines, a former nightclub bouncer, was shot during an operation by the Metropolitan Police.

The day after the incident police spent about nine hours searching the home of Mr Haines who was suspected of being involved in the robbery attempt.

An investigation into his death, being conducted by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, is continuing.

Three men have been remanded in custody charged with robbery and possession of a firearm following the incident. They will appear again at Maidstone Crown Court on November 17.