Dartford man accused of hostage killing was on bail for assaulting her

Hayley Burke, 36, died of injuries caused by a handgun after a disturbance at a home on Priory Road, Dartford, on May 6. 

Jacob Cloke was also found with an injury caused by a firearm. The 29-year-old was taken to hospital with critical injuries and died four days later. He was arrested before his death. 

Cloke, of Clifton Grove in Gravesend, was on bail after being charged with assaulting Hayley on three occasions - February 24, February 28 and April 18. 

He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 26 where he pleaded not guilty to all charges and was given conditional bail with instructions not to contact Hayley and not to enter Dartford. 

He was being monitored by a tag with instructions to live and sleep at his home in Gravesend. 

Cloke was due to next appear in court on June 19. 

Armed police were called to the scene on Priory Road at around midday on Coronation Day and trained negotiators tried to engage with a man inside the property.  

Tributes have since been paid to Hayley with flowers and handwritten notes left at the scene of the incident.  

One of the notes read: “Hayley, RIP beautiful, gone too soon, fly high, love Mana.” 

KentOnline reported that Cloke was previously jailed for two years in 2021 after pleading guilty to assaulting another woman.   

The shooting has been reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). 

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “Our thoughts are with Hayley Burke’s family and friends following their loss. We can confirm we are independently investigating the contact Kent police had with Ms Burke prior to her death on May 8. 

“Our investigation, which is at a very early stage, will examine whether any police action, or inaction, may have caused or contributed to her death, including whether there were any missed opportunities to safeguard her. We will be in touch with Ms Burke’s family to express our condolences and explain our role.”