Young man charged over murder of woman near Birchington

Detectives investigating the death of a woman near Birchington have charged a man with murder.

Claire Knights, 54, was reported missing from the village of Upstreet on Wednesday 23 August 2023.

Following extensive enquiries, Claire was found dead in an area between St Nicholas At Wade and Minnis Bay on Friday 25 August.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate arrested a man on suspicion of murder the following day.

On Monday 18 September, Harrison Lawrence-van Pooss was remanded this afternoon. The case will next be heard at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 20 September.

He was also charged with voyeurism following an investigation into a separate incident in which ‘upskirt’ images of a woman were covertly taken on Tuesday 22 August in Birchington. 

The 20-year-old, of Margate, will appear via live link at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday 18 September.

Click here for further information, advice and support relating to Violence Against Women and Girls. This page also includes details on how Kent Police is tackling offences including domestic abuse, stalking, harassment and other forms of violence.

If you have been a victim of violence and wish to report an offence, click here.