Jurors who will hear the case of a man accused of a double murder and seriously wounding a young man and a teenager have been told they face a “tough trial”.

High Court judge Mr Justice Stuart-Smith gave the warning after 12 men were sworn in, alongside a woman and another man as reserves.

Foster Christian denies murdering chef Simon Gorecki and Natasha Sadler in Canterbury.

He also denies wounding with intent Ms Sadler's son Connaugh Harris, 20, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The jurors were given a list of questions to answer before forming the panel at Maidstone Crown Court, from which 12 were to be chosen.

The two reserves will be discharged after the prosecution opening by Philip Bennetts QC at around midday tomorrow.

The judge repeated one of the stipulations that they should have no prior knowledge of Christian.

“It is very important he should be tried by 12 people who know absolutely nothing about him,” he stressed.

Mr Justice Stuart-Smith continued: “You will see photographs of the scene which had quite a lot of blood. You will see body maps. You won’t see actual photographs.

“I expect you will see reconstructions to see how the stab wounds were inflicted and in what direction.

“This is going to be a tough trial at the end of which you will have to make the most important decision of your lives - whether or not Mr Christian is guilty or not guilty.”

He added: “If anyone feels they simply cannot do that I would be grateful if you would say so now.”

Christian, a 54-year-old mechanic is alleged to have fatally stabbed Mr Gorecki, 48, and Ms Sadler, 40, at the house in Dickens Avenue on the Poets Estate on March 29 this year.

Wearing light grey trousers, a navy cardigan and a polo shirt, Christian, who lived in the same house as Mr Gorecki in Dickens Avenue, was accompanied in court by four prison officers and one dock officer.

The trial is expected to last three weeks. The judge said it should finish by October 26.