A man has been charged with the murder of his 55-year-old mother.

Jamie Burnett, from Old Road, Chatham, appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court this morning accused of killing Lesley Spearing at her home in Oast View Terrace, Rainham.

Police were called to the property off Mierscourt Road at 8.30pm on Thursday.

Officers and an ambulance crew attended the scene where Ms Spearing was pronounced dead.

Burnett, 27, was arrested shortly afterwards in Rainham High Street. Police have now confirmed he was the victim's son.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate have launched a murder investigation and confirmed "both parties were known to each other".

A post-mortem examination revealed she died of a stab wound.

This morning a bouquet of flowers rested against the front door of the house, while next door neighbours brought cups of tea to two police officers stationed outside.

Burnett was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

KMTV report on the case

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