A quest to get answers over whether a man shot dead by police was holding a gun just before he was killed has been going on "for many months", a senior coroner has been told.

William Smith, known as 'Curly Bill' was shot four times in the head and chest after being cornered by armed officers in Goudhurst in May 2016.

Mr Smith, 36, was on the run after being linked to the murder of pensioner Roy Blackman, from Biddenden , during a violent burglary two months earlier.

At a pre-inquest review this morning, Her Honour Judge Alexia Durran gave Kent Police seven days to pass on any outstanding information to a fingerprint expert after hearing questions surrounding Mr Smith's death remain unanswered.

Police watchdog, the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), previously said Mr Smith had been aiming a shotgun at two officers when he was killed during the planned operation.

But, at a later hearing, Leslie Thomas, counsel for the family, cast doubt over this, stating there was little forensic evidence to suggest he was pointing a firearm at the officers.

At a review hearing at Guildford Crown Court today Chris Sutton-Mattocks, counsel for the inquest, said: “How can someone lift and point a gun without leaving their fingerprints on it?

"These questions still need answering and I have been trying to get those answers for many months.”

The expert must publish a report by Monday, September 28.

A nine-day inquest with a jury is still set to take place in November, but a suitable venue to hold the hearing has not yet been found.

Her Honour Judge Alexia Durran, deputy chief coroner, warned there could be further delays unless a location is identified in the next two weeks otherwise it will be 'impossible' to carry out tasks on time such as swearing in a jury.

She said she will continue to put pressure on those tasked with finding us a venue as a matter of urgency.

It is also hoped another pre-inquest review can be held in October.

Mr Blackman, 73, was found bludgeoned to death at his bungalow in Headcorn Road , Biddenden, on Monday, March 21, 2016 after a violent burglary.

His safe, which contained £250,000, was also taken.

Mr Smith’s DNA was found at the scene, implicating him heavily in events. The prosecution said if alive he would have been put on trial.

The father of four who lived in Tenterden Road, Golford, near Cranbrook was found hiding in Smith's Lane orchard during a planned police operation.

Two guns taken from another burglary were recovered from the scene.

Ballistic analysis and statements from officers show two Kent Police firearms officers discharged their weapons twice each during the incident.

In September 2016, 38-year-old Mark Love, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, received a life sentence for murder.

The inquest is set to hear from Kent Police firearms officers and an independent firearms expert.

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