An investigation into the fatal shooting of a murder suspect has concluded.

William 'Curly Bill' Smith was on the run having been linked to the killing of 73-year-old Roy Blackman at Biddenden in March.

The 36-year-old father-of-four was surrounded by armed police at a shack in a Goudhurst orchard on Sunday, May 1.

In the ensuing stand-off Smith, of Tenterden Road, Golford, was shot four times in the head and chest by two officers.

Two guns — which were stolen during a burglary at the home of a world champion shooter which Smith had been charged with — were recovered from the Smiths Lane site.

As is the case with all police shootings an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation was launched and has now concluded, with a report being prepared.

An inquest was opened and adjourned indefinitely at Gravesend’s Old Town Hall in May.

It is likely the inquest will resume in early part of next year with the IPCC's full findings made available at that point.

In September, Mark Love, 38, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, was jailed for life for murdering Mr Blackman.

The 73-year-old was bludgeoned to death during a raid on his Headcorn Road bungalow during which a safe containing £250,000 was stolen.

Several people were hunted in connection with the murder and eight were arrested, including Smith, however Love is the only one to have been convicted.

During his trial, Smith, whose DNA was found at the scene, was implicated heavily and the prosecution said if alive he would have joined Love in the dock.

Following Love's conviction, Smith's father Tracey spoke of his anger that his son had repeatedly been implicated in the crime.

Hundreds of mourners attended Smith's funeral, which was held at Benenden in June, with a procession heading through Cranbrook and the surrounding area.