Robertsbridge murder: Victim had called police before

Officers were called to the site in October 2009 after youths were seen trying to steal batteries by putting them in a wheelbarrow.

They abandoned them when they were disturbed by Mr Gardner’s neighbour.

A Scenes of Crime Officer attended the scene at the time and Mr Gardner was given a reassurance visit by a Police Community Support Officer.

Police say there is ‘no evidence’ that Mr Gardner had been a victim of burglary in the past.

Meanwhile one of Mr Gardner’s neighbours revealed they had been burgled previously.

The neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “When I heard the helicopter on Monday morning, it was really low flying and I figured they were looking for someone, so I locked all the doors and windows.

“We are quite isolated here and although I don’t lose sleep over crime, we have been burgled.

“I heard that Mr Gardner was always having things pinched so this may have been the last straw.”

Earlier this week police said it was ‘too early to say’ whether the break in at Bush Barn is linked to any other similar crimes in rural Rother.