A man has been charged with murder after a pensioner was found dead at a property.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate launched a murder investigation after 71-year-old William Rowe was found dead at a home in Mercury Close, Borstal, Rochester, on Tuesday.

Police were called to the road at 7.50am and a short time later two people were arrested.

Now, 27-year-old Simon Brown, of Snowdon Close, Chatham, has appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

Brown didn’t enter a plea in relation to the charge and was remanded in custody while the case was sent to Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with.

A 33-year-old woman who was also arrested has been released without charge.

At the time of the incident, police were seen patrolling the area, with two police cars and two forensic vans at the scene.

A property along the residential road was cordoned off and the pensioner’s relatives have been informed of his death.

Shocked neighbours came out of their houses after hearing the news and were chatting to each other in disbelief as the horror of the news.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said she had lived there for 10 years and nothing like this had ever happened before.

She added: “I went out to do the school run and within five minutes from when I returned there were five police cars and ambulances everywhere.

“It is sickening.”