Four members of one family today denied a string of charges including murdering a relative and trying to murder his brother.

The four Treebys, Bill, 49, his wife Charity, 50, and their two sons, Billy Jnr, 29, and 22-year-old George, stood in the dock accused of killing Bill's brother Jack.

They also denied trying to kill the victim's son and plotting to murder another relative.

The four were at Maidstone Crown Court, where relatives sitting in the public gallery were warned by Judge Andrew Patience QC not to make any emotional outbursts.

Jack, 43, from Rainham, died from multiple head and chest injuries after an incident with a car in Quarry Road, Maidstone, on December 27.

His brother Gary, 39, was treated in hospital for gunshot wounds.

Bill, Charity, Billy Jnr. and George, all of Queen Street, Paddock Wood, pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder.

The four also denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent on Gary, attempted murder of Jack Jnr and attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm on Jack Jnr.

They pleaded not guilty to a sixth charge of conspiracy to murder John Treeby between December 1 and 31.

Their trial is expected to last four to six weeks and has been provisionally fixed to start on September 27.

The Treebys, who were flanked by four dock officers, were remanded in custody until a further hearing on June 11.