Two men have appeared at Maidstone Crown Court accused of murdering 36-year-old Ted Shaxted in Northfleet in December last year.

Bill Saunders, 27, and Kelvin Horlock, 29, will return on October 10 with Trevor Lees, 35, also accused of murder, to enter pleas.

Lawyers for Saunders, of Shamrock Road, Gravesend, Horlock, of Hatfield Road, Strood, and Lees, of London Road, Northfleet, are expected to make bail applications.

An immediate attempt to request bail for Saunders by his QC Jerome Lynch was refused by Judge Michael Lawson, QC, who said submissions for all three should be heard at the same time.

Mr Shaxted, 36, died at Darent Valley Hospital on December 16 after being attacked at his flat in Wallis Park two weeks earlier.

Saunders and Horlock appeared by TV link with Elmley Prison, Sheppey, at Friday's brief hearing.

A trial date has been set for January 5 next year.