Four men accused of a “professional hit” murder near Gravesend 16 years ago have this week made a bid to have the case against them dismissed.

Lawyers representing Robert Blackwell, Kane Ward, David Carvel and Terence Barry submitted at Maidstone Crown Court that the case should not proceed to trial on September 5.

Judge Jeremy Carey said today he would give his ruling at a later date.

Blackwell, 51, Ward, 52, Carvel, 51, and Barry, 43, are accused of conspiracy to murder Leonard Naylor in April 2001.

Prosecutor Simon Russell Flint QC told a hearing last month 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 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.

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.