A man is to go on trial next year accused of attempted murder following a stabbing at a pub.

Miguel Batista, 29, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges which came after two men were injured and one died after violence erupted at the Cricketers Inn at Meopham.

Now a High Court judge is to be assigned to hear the 10-day trial, due to be heard in May 2023.

Batista, of no fixed address, appeared by prison video link to deny two charges of attempting to murder David Brown or wounding him with intent.

He now has until February next year to submit his defence in a legal document.

Police were called to the Cricketers Inn, in Wrotham Road, shortly before 9.15pm on November 5.

South East Coast Ambulance paramedics treated two men for stab wounds.

Craig Allen, 35, from Marden, died at the scene and Mr Brown, 50, from Meopham, was taken to hospital for treatment.

He was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but later released.