Body found in Swanley: 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of woman's murder (From News Shopper)

Body found in Swanley: 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of woman's murder in Swanley Village Road

8:30am Thursday 4th October 2012 in News By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter

A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found dying in a road in Swanley last night (October 3).

Kent Police were called to Swanley Village Road at 11:18pm to reports of a woman suffering from severe injuries.

The 23-year-old - who has been named locally as Natalie Jarvis - later died from her injuries at the scene.

At around 3am today (October 4), a man who was known to the victim was arrested on suspicion of murder after handing himself into a north Kent police station.

Ray McCarthy, landlord of the Lamb Inn in Swanley Village Road, says a young driver and three passengers were brought in to his pub near the scene by police having just discovered the gravely injured woman lying in the road.

He says the four people were travelling from Sutton-at-Hone towards Hextable when they came across the dying woman.

He told News Shopper: "They said they found a body in the road and obviously stopped.

"One of them was trying to pump the chest and the other phoned 999.

"The operator was telling him what to do.

"By the time police arrived five minutes later, they said it was no good.

"They were certainly shaken up. We obviously gave them coffees and teas and that sort of thing."

Mr McCarthy, who has run the Lamb Inn for four-and-a-half years with his wife Margaret, 49, said two pub regulars were outside smoking around the same time as the incident when three "yobbos" on motorbikes raced past.

He said: "Apparently the one rider at the back had a crowbar in his hand. As he passed the pub he was waving it about.

"Then apparently they shouted out: 'That’s the way we do it'."

The 67-year-old said police used the pub as a makeshift incident room, interviewing witnesses through the night.

Formal identification of the victim has not yet taken place and a post-mortem examination will be held later today to establish the cause of death.

Valerie Baker, 65, of Swanley Village Road, told News Shopper: "I was shocked to hear of such an event in such a peaceful village.

"The first I heard was when the builders at my house called me to say the road was blocked off first thing this morning.

"I was horrified when I found out.

"It's so sad."

A large area of Swanley Village remains cordoned off today for forensic examination.

Swanley Village Road is closed at the Beechenlea Lane junction and also at Button Street.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Gavin Moss from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "At this time we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

"I’m hopeful anyone with any information can contact us to help us further our investigation.

"A number of road closures are in place in the area whilst a forensic examination takes place, and I would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding whilst this takes place."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police by calling 101, quoting incident reference 03-1754, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.