A man accused of drugging and murdering four men he met on gay websites - including one from Gravesend - has been charged with attacking eight others.

Stephen Port was originally charged with four counts of murder and four counts of administering a poison.

He is also accused of six further counts of administering a poison, seven of rape and four sexual assaults against another eight men, which can now be reported.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, which allegedly took place between 2011 and 2015, at the Old Bailey today.

He also faces four alternative charges of manslaughter for each of the murder counts, which he also denies.

The alleged victims include 21-year-old former Dartford Grammar student Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, who was found near the churchyard of St Margaret's Church in North Street, Barking, on September 20 2014.

Daniel, an aspiring chef, worked at Reynolds Fitness Spa, which has branches in Sittingbourne, Rainham and Sevenoaks.

Port, of Barking, east London, appeared in court via video-link from Belmarsh Prison.

The 41-year-old is due to stand trial in October.