The jury deciding whether four men murdered Northfleet man Ted Shaxted was set to resume deliberations this morning after being discharged on Friday.

The eight women and four men had retired at lunchtime on Friday after hearing five weeks of evidence.

But they were called back to court at 4pm and told by Judge Michael Lawson QC to suspend their deliberations until this morning (Monday).

It is alleged the fatal assault on Mr Shaxted at his flat in Wallis Park in December 2007 was committed by three men who were either "accompanied or organised" by a fourth.

In the dock at Maidstone Crown Court are Marvin Service, 33, of Brandon Street, Gravesend; Trevor Lees, 35, of London Road, Northfleet and Bill Saunders, 27, of Shamrock Road, Gravesend.

It is alleged that they were "recruited" by the fourth man in the dock, 29-year-old Kelvin Horlock, of Hatfield Road, Strood.

All four deny murder. Lees has admitted manslaughter, but Horlock, Service and Saunders also deny that charge.

Mr Shaxted, who was 36, was given a "sustained beating" the day after he had taken and crashed a car belonging to Horlock's mother.

Mr Shaxted's injuries included 11 broken ribs and a fractured collar-bone. He died as a result of organ failure two weeks later.

The court heard that in that time he did not name any of the persons responsible for the attack.