Mysterious life of the motorbike hit victim

Police are continuing today to piece together the complex life of the man believed assassinated by contract killers.

Courier firm boss Ken Harvey, of Broad Oak, East Sussex, began his working life selling ice creams and hot dogs.

A decade later, he was shot three times at pointblank range, victim of assassins. Today police extended the search for the truth behind a "mysterious man".

Mr Harvey, 44, the son of plastering contractor Maynard Harvey, from Dartford, was killed on Monday in his Mercedes near his home while on the way to work.

Police believe he had been followed for weeks before two contract killers tracked his car on a motorcycle - with a V1 LON number plate - and shot him at a crossroads in Cripps Corner. He died in hospital two days later.

Yesterday it was revealed Harvey was to be tried for plotting to smuggle £500,000 worth of cocaine into the UK.

Relatives of the wealthy businessman remained tightlipped about his death.

A next-door neighbour, who wished to remain unnamed, said: "He lived here for more than a decade but remained a mystery man. The family would be in and out of the house all the time. I always felt he seemed out of place in this neighbourhood."

Police are investigating Harvey's businesses, and have offered a £10,000 reward for information on the "ruthlessly arrogant" killers of the father of four.