Man charged after explosive substance found in Hawkinge

Charges have been brought against a man following the discovery of an explosive substance at a property in Hawkinge.

Mark Humberstone, 61, was arrested at his home in Churchill Walk on Tuesday 16 June 2026 after allegedly using a crossbow to fire arrows at a neighbour’s front porch.

During a search of the property Kent Police officers located a number of suspicious items, which were assessed by a specialist team from the British Army.

The items have since been removed for further examination, with one to date confirmed as being a viable explosive substance.

Remanded

Mr Humberstone has remained in custody since his arrest and appeared at Margate Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 30 June when he was charged with possessing an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose, causing criminal damage to his neighbour’s porch, and possessing four unlawful weapons (all knuckledusters) in a private place.

He has been remanded in custody and will next appear at Canterbury Crown Court for a plea hearing on Monday 3 August.