A TEENAGER accused of three manslaughter charges following a fatal fire in Chatham High Street may not face trial, a court heard.

A hearing is to be held at Maidstone Crown Court on May 24 to decide whether Curtis Bushell, 18, is fit to enter pleas to the charges.

Three psychiatrists will give evidence during the proceedings and Judge Warwick McKinnon will then decide the case.

If he rules Bushell is not fit to plead there will then be a further hearing to decide whether or not Bushell did commit the offences.

This subsequent hearing, expected to last four to five days, will again be held in front of Judge McKinnon but at Croydon Crown Court on June 21.

Bushell, of Balmoral Road, Gillingham, was not in court for Friday's hearing. He has been on remand at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution since his arrest.

It is alleged that the teenager, together with 21-year-old Sam Benn, started a fire at Blaze restaurant in Chatham in March last year.

Rikki Sheehan, 27, her boyfriend Paul Arnold, 34, and her two-year-old son Charlie all died in the fire. They lived in a flat above the restaurant.

Benn, of no fixed address, has already pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter and will be sentenced once Bushell’s case has been determined.

Benn, who is expected to give evidence for the prosecution, was remanded in custody. He is not expected to appear at Bushell’s hearing on May 24 but will be legally represented.