by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

A man spent the night in the cells after arrested for allegedly trying to tackle a gang of youths who were said to be goading him on his allotment in Rainham.

Phil Hennessey, 44, from Gillingham was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, after an incident on Berengrave allotments, on Sunday, May 3 at about 9.35pm.

It is believed he tried to make a citizen’s arrest on a member of the gang, but the youngsters called in police who then arrested him.

Mr Hennessey, apparently had chased some of the youngsters away from his plot only to find a much larger group of teenagers gathered nearby.

The father-of-two has told a national newspaper he tried to carry out a citizen’s arrest, before giving up because they the youngsters were too fast for him and ran away.

But one of the gang called the police and he was arrested, handcuffed and taken to Medway Police Station.

He spent a night in the cells before being released on bail until, Wednesday July 1.

Mr Hennessey is also said to be upset his young son had to witness his arrest and has protested to police he was only trying to protect his property, and is now worried about taking his son to the allotment in case the gang return.

Chief Inspector Peter de Lozey from Kent Police: "We have a duty to fully investigate all criminal allegations that are made to Kent Police.

"During this process we will gather evidence to either prove or disprove someone’s involvement in an incident."

"Any counter allegations will also be investigated to the same extent.

"Because proceedings are active we are unable to comment in more detail about this specific incident at this time."