Two men have appeared in court charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old dad in the early hours of Good Friday.
Police were called to reports that a man had been assaulted in Belmont Road, Whitstable, at 2.04am on April 3.
Ashton Harrington died in Whitstable on Good Friday
Officers attended alongside paramedics, where 19-year-old Ashton Harrington was found to have sustained fatal injuries consistent with stab wounds and died at the scene.
On Monday, April 13, officers arrested two men at a property in Sittingbourne.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of murder against 19-year-old Kieron Barnes, of Romeny Court, Sittingbourne and 21-year-old Tobias Agbaje of Claremont Street, Herne Bay.
Both men have also been charged with possession of a bladed article.
They appeared from custody at Margate Magistrates’ Court this morning, where they each confirmed their name, age and address.
Tributes to Ashton Harrington at the scene where he died in Belmont Road, Whitstable, on Good Friday
Following a short hearing, the case was sent to Maidstone Crown Court, with the two defendants remanded to appear there on Friday (April 17).
Ashton’s death has devastated his family, including his mum, Camille Harrington, his stepdad Conor, his grandmother Lorraine, his younger brothers Bentley, 12, and Caisley, 11, and his 18-month-old daughter.
Camille says Ashton was hugely popular with his friends and incredibly loyal to those closest to him.
“He had such a bubbly personality and would light up the whole room with his infectious laugh, which made everyone else laugh too,” she said.
“He was the life and soul of the party, and was happiest when he was out with his friends, who he grew up with and are a lovely bunch of boys. They’re absolutely heartbroken.
Ashton Harrington, with his mum Camille and stepdad Conor
“He had his whole life ahead of him.”
A former pupil of Canterbury Academy, Ashton later trained in carpentry and enjoyed motorbikes and fishing with friends.
He had become a father at just 17 – a role his family say he embraced.
“He doted on his little girl and was literally with her on the day he died,“ Camille said.
“He’s left a piece of himself behind with her, and I have to be grateful for that.”
Dad of one Ashton Harrington died in Belmont Road in Whitstable after being stabbed to death. Picture: Harrington family
Dozens of floral tributes have been left near the scene of Ashton’s death, including at the entrance to Whitstable Town Football Club.
Camille says the support from the community has been overwhelming.
“The love that people have shown us as a family has been non-stop,“ she said.
“As much as it’s been very overwhelming, I think it’s helping us get through.”
A fundraising appeal has also been launched to help cover funeral costs and has raised almost £8,000.
“We want to give him the best possible send-off because he deserves it,” said Camille.