A teenager has denied murdering a middle-aged man who died from a single punch.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified, is alleged to have killed the 54-year-old man, who also cannot be identified, in Sackville Road, Dartford, on Saturday, November 19.

At a brief hearing last month he was allowed to sit with a social worker behind lawyers at Maidstone Crown Court, but today sat in the dock at the direction of Judge Jeremy Carey.

Police were called to the Dartford address just before midday. The man was pronounced dead at the scene less than an hour later.

The teenager will stand trial on May 8 next year. It is expected to last a week.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC confirmed to the judge it was a “one punch case”, but added there was also a neck injury.

Mr Bennetts said the case would be further reviewed by January 31 once the pathologist’s report was available.

Judge Carey said: “It is important this decision is taken as a real priority once January 31 comes and goes. This is a very acute case in which this is a young defendant for whom the stress will be considerable.

“It is very important this decision is taken as a matter of real priority whatever that decision may be. It is for the court to ensure there is a just outcome.”

Earlier, Melanie Krudy, defending, applied for the teenager to be allowed to sit outside the dock.

“He is charged with an extremely serious offence,” she said. “He is very vulnerable. He is a very young 17-year-old.

“At the last hearing he had a complete collapse emotionally. That is disturbing for everybody, including him.”

The teenager has been remanded into the care of the local authority and has to live where directed by officials.