A man accused of murdering Ben Mahoney at a Dartford kebab shop did not appear at court on Monday after he failed to get on the prison van.

Eddy Ives, from Gravesend, was due to enter a plea but the hearing had to be adjourned until Thursday after Judge Jeremy Carey was told about his non-appearance.

Prosecutor Ian Hope said a charge of manslaughter would be added to the indictment.

Mr Mahoney, of St Martin’s Road, Newtown, Dartford, died after trouble broke out inside the House on the Hill takeaway in East Hill on Friday April 12.

The 30-year-old, who fitted air conditioning, was rendered unconscious by a punch and died early the next day in hospital.

A post mortem examination gave the cause as head injuries.

Ives, 29, has been remanded in custody and is due to stand trial on September 16.