by Keith Hunt

Two men accused of murdering a father-of-six outside his home have made a brief appearance at Maidstone Crown Court.

Christopher Goldfinch, 22, and Scott Stevens, 23, had denied causing Paul Hopkins grievous bodily harm with intent and an alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on August 2.

They were charged with murder after Mr Hopkins, of Beecholme Drive, Kennington, Ashford, died in Kent and Canterbury Hospital on November 23.

The 32-year-old suffered serious head injuries and had been in a coma since the incident. Brain surgery was carried out at London’s King’s College Hospital.

Stevens, of Augustus Walk, and Goldfinch, of Falcon Way, both Ashford, will return to court on February 22 for a further hearing.

A provisional trial date was set for July 12. They were remanded in custody.