The ex-boyfriend of a 23-year-old student whosethroat was reportedly slit in a busy shopping centre car park has been charged on suspicion of murder.

Molly McLarenwas violently attackedat the Dockside factory outlet shopping centre in Chathamand died at the scene from stab wounds.

Joshua Stimpson, 25, of High Street in Wouldham in Rochester, was arrested at the scene and charged with her murder, Kent Policesaid.

Witnessesclaimed to have heard screams and the beeping of the car horn as Ms McLaren is believed to have been inside her carat the time of the attack.

Ms Stimpson is understood to have beenMs McLaren'sformer boyfriend but they relationship had reportedly come to an end.

Police said that "any previous reports made by the victim to Kent Police" regardingMr Stimpsonwould be considered as part of the murder investigation.

Officers have also referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commissionwhich will determine whether another investigation into any previous contact withMs McLarenwould be necessary.

The 23-year-old was a student at the University of Kentstudying Sport and Excercise for Health and she worked at The Leather Bottle Pub in Gravesend, Kent Live reports.

A spokesman for the pub told the Kent newspaper he was "too upset" to comment at this time.

She was described as popular with "an infectious zest for life" and the desire to live happily and healthy.

Grieving students and staff at the university have been offered counselling to help them come to terms with Ms McLaren's shocking death.

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Ex-boyfriend charged after Kent student has 'throat slit' at busy shopping centre - The Independent