A 20-year-old man has appeared in court after being charged with murder after a woman was stabbed to death.

Emergency services were called to a house in Henderson Drive, Dartford shortly before 7am on Saturday (August 17) after concerns for a person were raised.

Police and paramedics attended the address where Nina Denisova, 39, was found with stab injuries. She died at the scene.

On Sunday, police charged Ernestas Juska, of Henderson Drive, Dartford, with murder.

He has also been charged with committing a sexual offence against the deceased woman.

Juska appeared in the dock at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court earlier today (August 19) and didn’t enter any pleas in relation to the charges.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address and his case was sent to Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with.

Juska will appear on August 21 and was remanded in custody until then.

Following the incident, Henderson Drive was taped off between the junctions with Marsh Street and Cavell Crescent while officers carried out their inquiries.

Forensics officers in protective clothing were also seen going in and out of the house more than 24 hours later.

Juska, who knew Ms Denisova, was arrested and taken into custody in connection with her death on Saturday.

Neighbours have already spoken of their shock over the killing.

John Powsey first knew something was happening when he woke up about 8am on Saturday and saw no cars driving up and down the usually busy road.

He said officers were searching through bins, people’s gardens and underneath cars throughout the day and the road cordon was lifted at about 7pm.

Taxi driver Shaun Green, who has lived in Henderson Drive for five years, said: “I knew it was serious when I saw the forensics here yesterday but we did not know for a while how bad it was.

“We hoped it was not as serious as it looked.

“I have never had any trouble around here. You see it on the news but you never expect it to happen next door.

“It is shocking. Things like this do not happen every day.”