A homeless man will appear in court today to stand trial accused of beating Trevor Hillman to death at a village church.

Ruslan Piktorov pleaded not guilty to the charge at a preliminary hearing in January.

The 40-year-old was arrested on the evening of Wednesday, October 22, in Holborn, London, after Mr Hillman's body was discovered in the porch of St Peter and St Paul parish church, in Church Walk, Headcorn, earlier that day.

Piktorov, originally from Lithuania, will appear at Maidstone Crown Court this afternoon for the start of his trial.

A plasterer and familiar face to many, 57-year-old Mr Hillman had been sleeping rough in the village and surrounding area for most of his life.

Piktorov is represented by Mark Wyeth QC, while Christopher Tehrani QC will prosecute.

Stories you might have missed

'Jackass' killers jailed for life

Man who 'buried partner under patio' denies murder

Police find indecent images in arson probe

Families left with few answers on bomb radiation deaths