A MAN accused of murdering a father-of-three in Gravesend almost five years ago will remain in custody while awaiting his trial.

Guljinder Singh, 32, of no fixed address, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday via a TV link with Elmley Prison.

It is alleged he killed Kamaljit Singh Kalon on Gordon Promenade on July 10 2003. Mr Kalon, who was 31, married and from Sidcup, died after he was stabbed more than 40 times.

Singh is due to stand trial on October 2 and the case is expected to last six to eight weeks. A hearing was held today so that custody time limits could be extended until after the trial starts. The prosecution’s request was not opposed by Singh’s defence team.

Singh, who has previously been known by the name of Gurewal, was accompanied by a Punjabi interpreter throughout the brief hearing.

He will appear in court in person on July 11 when he is expected to enter a plea to the murder charge.