Man charged with murder after two women killed in Hadlow in Kent

Suspect, 28, charged as presumed stabbing leaves residents of 'quiet' village shocked

A man has been charged with the murder of two women who died following a suspected stabbing at a home in a Kent village.

Jack Ralph, 28, is accused of killing two women, one in her 50s and one in her 70s, at a house in Hadlow, near Tonbridge, during an incident on Saturday.

Kent Police said officers were called to a property in Carpenters Lane at shortly after 7.40am to reports three people had suffered serious injuries.

The two women hurt in the altercation were pronounced dead at the scene. A man in his 70s was also airlifted to a London hospital, where his condition is said to be stable.

Police said all three victims had experienced injuries consistent with a stabbing.

Residents expressed shock on Saturday at the incident, which took place in what they described as a “quiet” village home to less than 4,000 people.

“It's a complete shock, normally it's a quiet area, I'm very disturbed about it,” said Stephen Richardson, a parish councillor who lives close to the scene.

“As far as I'm aware, nothing like this has ever happened in Hadlow.”

Allan Maile, 39, who lives on the road where the women were found dead, added: “When I woke up I saw the air ambulance, and it was quite surprising as it's usually quiet around here.

“It's a shock, most people have children here, in close proximity too so it's definitely worrying.”

Detectives investigating the case said it is believed the victims and the suspect were known to each other.

Mr Ralph, also of Carpenters Lane, was charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

He remains in custody and is due to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court by video link on Monday.