Four men accused of a “professional hit” murder near Gravesend 16 years ago are to make an application to have the case against them dismissed.

Robert Blackwell, Kane Ward, David Carvel and Terence Barry were all due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court today to enter pleas to a charge of conspiracy to murder Leonard Naylor.

But a dismissal hearing will now be heard on May 22.

Only two of the four appeared - Ward, 52, in the dock and 43-year-old Barry by video link with Elmley Prison, Sheppey.

Blackwell, 51, was en route from Lewes Prison in East Sussex and Carvel, 51, from Belmarsh Prison in Thamesmead, south east London, but the vans taking them to court were sent back as they were not required to be present.

Prosecutor Simon Russell Flint QC said the case so far involved about 270 statements.

Mr Naylor, who was 46, died from multiple gunshot wounds in a shooting on the driveway of his home in Bracondale Avenue, Istead Rise, in April, 2001.

He was shot four times - in the head, neck, chest and arm. No firearm was recovered. A getaway van used was dumped and set alight under the A2 at Pepper Hill.

Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate continued to review the cold case and the arrests were made on March 7.

The victim had himself been arrested twice in the past. He was released from jail in September 1999 for drug dealing.

In June 1996 he was arrested for attempted murder but the case was dropped when the victim refused to co-operate.

Judge Jeremy Carey said the four-week trial set for September 5 could be moved to London’s Old Bailey and tried by a High Court judge.

“The diary here is very poor,” he told lawyers for the four. “Although we make room for this case, there are limits about how far we can go.

“It could go to the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) or somewhere else where it can be dealt with more quickly.”

Agreeing that leading counsel should conduct the case, the judge added: “This is a very grave allegation and a case of considerable complexity.”

Blackwell, of Atlas Road, Plaistow, east London, Ward, of Boyd Close, Upminster, Essex, Carvel, of Plains Farm Close, Colchester, Essex, and Barry, of no fixed address, were remanded in custody.

Blackwell was refused bail last week despite another judge hearing sureties totalling £150,000 were available and that his daughter was seriously ill.