Murder of cafe owner causes shock

Andrew Cresswell was last seen the day before he was found murdered

Friends of a 51-year-old man found murdered at a cafe in Kent where he lived and worked have expressed their shock at the killing.

The body of Andrew Cresswell, from Pluckley, was found at Unit 2 on the Pivington Mill industrial estate, in Pluckley, early on Tuesday.

Detectives said it was believed that a weapon had been used to kill him.

Terry Gray, who works on the estate and knew Mr Cresswell for more than 25 years, described him as "very helpful".

"I think it's very sad that something like this has happened," he said.

"He had a small business, he was a very helpful sort of person, and to hear that he was murdered has obviously hit quite hard with a lot of people."

Suspicious activity

Another friend, businessman David Olsen, said Mr Cresswell was "like a security guard" on the estate and "one of the pillars of the community".

His passions were known to be aviation and archaeology, and he was a volunteer at Lashenden Air Warfare Museum.

Spokesman Trevor Matthews described his murder as "unbelievable".

"For something to happen in this way - it's an absolute disaster."

The last known sighting of Mr Cresswell was on Monday in Ashford.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a suspicious vehicle or persons in the vicinity of Pivington Mill recently, and who may have information about Mr Cresswell's movements on Monday afternoon and evening.

Investigations at the scene have been continuing, with police officers combing the ground for clues.