A 28-year-old man accused of committing a murder at the weekend made a brief appearance at Maidstone Crown Court today.

Joe Chuter is alleged to have killed Ronnie Smith, 31, in St Patrick's Gardens in Gravesend on Saturday.

Police said an altercation was reported to have taken place at an address in Taunton Vale at around 7.45pm.

Mr Smith, also known as Ronnie Vine and from Cranbrook, suffered head and stomach wounds at about 8pm.

He was taken to a London hospital but died the following morning.

Chuter, of Taunton Vale, was not asked to enter a plea to the murder charge when he appeared by TV link with Elmley Prison. He will do so on September 17.

Judge Adele Williams set a provisional trial date for January 14 next year.

Jason Dunn-Shaw, defending, did not apply for bail and Chuter was remanded in custody.