London Evening Standard/London
Two men were being questioned by police yesterday about a suspected plot to murder soul singer Joss Stone after they were seized with swords, a coil of rope and a body bag.
Officers swooped on a car near the star’s home in Cullompton, Devon, and arrested the men. A police source said they were being questioned about an alleged plot to do “serious harm” to the singer, 24, whose personal fortune is estimated at £9mn.
The men, aged 30 and 33, were originally being quizzed about a plot to commit grievous bodily harm but this was upgraded to conspiracy to rob and murder.
They had detailed maps and aerial photographs of the area around Stone’s isolated farmhouse. The source said: “They have their solicitors with them but the police want to know what lies behind this.”
Stone, who is close friends with Prince William and was at his wedding to Kate Middleton, is said to be in Britain and being kept informed of developments. There was no sign of the singer at her home yesterday.
A spokesman for Stone said she was aware of the arrests and police were “keeping her informed of developments”. It is not known if the star was at home at the time of the arrests.
The suspects were held on Monday and are being questioned in Exeter. Both have home addresses in Manchester. Neighbours called police after seeing them driving slowly along country lanes near Stone’s home.
Devon and Cornwall police said a “major crimes” team of 20 detectives was investigating. Officers were liaising with colleagues in Manchester, where it is believed a number of addresses were being searched. Detective inspector Steve Parker, leading the inquiry, said the men in custody “had in their possession information relating to an individual in the Cullompton area and items that lead us to suspect that they may have intended to commit a criminal offence”.
The police source said: “It looks like this pair had an A-Z of what they were planning to do. A body bag, swords and maps of where she lives were recovered.”
Stone, who in 2006 was the youngest woman on the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated fortune of £6mn, is due to go on tour in Europe next month. She is in the top five of the top-earning female UK singers and is also fifth-wealthiest British or Irish pop star under 30.
Devon and Cornwall police said: “A 30-year-old man was arrested for driving while disqualified, possession of an offensive weapon and going equipped to burgle. A second man, aged 33, was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and going equipped to burgle. As a result of enquiries they are being detained for the further offences of conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to murder.”