The jury in the retrial of four men accused of murdering alcoholic Ted Shaxted at his Northfleet home has now retired to consider its verdicts.

The nine men and three women have heard six weeks of evidence concerning how 36-year-old Mr Shaxted died 12 days after he was given a "sustained and ferocious beating" at his flat in Wallis Park on December 2 2007.

Mr Shaxted suffered multiple injuries in the attack, alleged to have been organised by Kelvin Horlock, 32, and carried out by Marvin Service, 35, Bill Saunders, 30 and Trevor Lees, 38.

The court was told Mr Shaxted was beaten after he stole and crashed a car belong to Horlock's mother while her dog was in it.

Horlock, of Hatfield Road, Strood, Service, of Brandon Street, Gravesend, Saunders of Denton Caravan Site, Shamrock Road, Gravesend, and Lees, of London Road, Northfleet, all deny murder, manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Horlock, Service and Saunders also deny causing grievous bodily harm. Lees has, however, admitted this charge.

Service, who has won power-lifting competitions, and Saunders both gave evidence during the retrial, while Horlock and Lees did not go into the witness box.

Service, whose palm print was found in Mr Shaxted's bathroom, said he only went to the flat on behalf of Horlock to check on the victim.

Saunders admitted going to Mr Shaxted's home with Lees and another man he would not identify. He claimed Lees punched Mr Shaxted "a couple or three times".

Saunders denied any involvement in the attack.

During the trial the court was told by Lees defence that Mr Shaxted would probably not have died had he not been given penicillin in hospital when he was allergic to the drug.

The prosecution, however, said this was "a complete red herring".