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Father and son charged with murder of four-year-old family member in car crash

Patrick Maughan, 53, and Owen Maughan, 27, appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court accused of murdering four-year-old Peter Maughan.

Stanley Murphy-Johns
Wednesday 04 June 2025 13:50 BST
Patrick Maughan, 53, and Owen Maughan, 27, both from Hill Rise, Darenth, were in Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court over the death of four-year-old Peter Maughan (PA)
Patrick Maughan, 53, and Owen Maughan, 27, both from Hill Rise, Darenth, were in Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court over the death of four-year-old Peter Maughan (PA)

A father and son have appeared in court accused of murdering a four-year-old member of their family in a car crash.

Patrick Maughan, 53, and Owen Maughan, 27, both from Hill Rise in Darenth, Kent, appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday over the death of four-year-old Peter Maughan.

They are charged with his murder, as well as causing grievous bodily harm to Peter’s father Lovell Mahon, 24, who is in a critical condition in hospital.

Both men are also charged with the attempted wounding with intent of Peter’s sister, one-year-old Annarica Maughan, and the mother of the children, Hayley Maughan.

It is understood that Hayley Maughan is the first cousin of Owen Maughan.

The two men appeared separately in the dock wearing grey prison jumpers and spoke to confirm their names, dates of birth and address.

The charges relate to a collision involving two pickup trucks on New Barn Road in Dartford, Kent, just before 9.30pm on Sunday.

The two suspects were remanded in custody and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court, either on Thursday or Friday.

A provisional plea and trial preparation hearing date of July 2 was also set.

Kent Police are continuing to appeal for information about the crash that involved two grey Ford Rangers.

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