The preliminary hearing of a man accused of murdering a young mother went ahead in his absence today after a malfunction in court equipment.

Joshua Caird was due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court by TV link with Lewes Prison, where he is in custody, but the clerk was unable to make the necessary contact.

Judge Philip Statman expressed his frustration and went ahead with the hearing with the agreement of prosecution and defence lawyers.

Caird was charged with murder after the body of Donna Eastwood, 26, of Almond Road, Stone, was found in the back of a burnt-out car.

The discovery was made when firefighters were called to deal with the fire in Rowhill Road, Wilmington, at 6.20am on Saturday, October 18.

Caird, also of Almond Road, will be taken to court on January 12 next year to enter a plea. His trial, expected to last up to three weeks, was set for February 16.

No application was made for bail and the 26-year-old was remanded in custody.

Ms Eastwood’s brother Dean Shepherd was in court for today’s hearing.

The judge said of the technical problems: “The equipment clearly isn’t fit for purpose. I want a full investigation as to why it (the link) is not possible.

“Justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done. This court can only run when the technology is functioning properly.

“The whole idea of having these links is to save money. It is just not working. It is a regular occurrence. We will carry on.”

Ms Eastwood was the former partner of Kevin McKinley, who was shot dead last year. The couple had three children.

Michaela Sargeant, 25, was convicted of the manslaughter of the 32-year-old outside her home in Overy Street, Dartford.

She was sentenced to eight years in prison. Her partner, Lewis Wickenden, 26, was convicted of assisting an offender and jailed for five years.