Man charged with murder of ‘loving mum’ & dogwalker Claire Knights, 54, after body was found in ditch near Minnis Bay
A MAN has been charged with the murder of “loving mum” and dogwalker Claire Knights after her body was found in a ditch near Minnis Bay.
Claire’s body was discovered in the ditch in Birchington, Kent on August 25 by a family member searching for her.
Harrison Lawrence van Pooss, from Margate, has today been charged with murdering the 54-year-old mum.
He is also accused of voyeurism after “upskirt” snaps of a woman were taken covertly on August 22.
Van Pooss was arrested on suspicion of murder on August 24, the day before Claire’s body was found.
An inquest this month heard that she died from blunt force trauma and drowning.
She was reported missing two days before the tragic find – with cops, neighbours and family desperately combing the area.
Her dog was found running loose on the beach, with her car parked in nearby St Nicholas-at-Wade.
The mum’s family said: “Claire was a loving mum, partner, daughter and sister.
“An amazing contemporary artist, a trailblazer in life. She loved animals and in particular, her springer spaniel, Zebulon.
“We, the family, are struggling to come to terms with the fact she is no longer with us.
“We wish to thank friends and the community for their active support and kind words.”