Homeless man burnt to death

A man who was walking his dog in Central Park told police he saw what he thought was a dustbin which had been set alight.

When he went closer he was horrified to find 41-year-old George Johnstone on a park bench engulfed in flames from the torso up.

He ran to call an ambulance while a middle-aged couple tried to assist the burning man.

Mr Johnstone was rushed to Darent Valley Hospital but died an hour later.

A post-mortem found Mr Johnstone suffered smoke inhalation and 39 per cent burns.

A police spokesman said Mr Johnstone, who is originally from Scotland, was also known as Scotch George. She said he is known to have had a drinking problem and had lived rough in Dartford for two to three months.

He was seen drinking in the area earlier in the day and detectives are hoping to speak to people who knew him.

Police arrested two boys, aged 13 and 15, in connection with the death on Monday afternoon, but Detective Chief Inspector Bob Nelson, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are looking at a number of possibilities. One is Mr Johnstone accidentally set himself alight.

“We have to keep an open mind about how he came to be in that state.”

Police are interested in speaking to the couple who assisted Mr Johnstone before the ambulance arrived or anyone who may have been in the park between 6pm and 8.15pm.

Anyone with information about the incident, at around 8.15pm on June 15, should call 01322 283145 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.