A MAN jailed for life for the murder of a 23-year-old with a wound to the neck has had the conviction overturned at the Court of Appeal in London.

Lee David Bullen, 23, of Heritage Drive, Gillingham, was found guilty by a jury last October of the murder of Drew Shepherd in Goudhurst Road, Twydall.

Mr Shepherd died of severe wounds to his neck in the early hours of February 3, 2006. It meant Mr Bullen, who was 21 at the time, faced at least 15 years behind bars before being considered for release by the Parole Board.

But on Friday afternoon in a lengthy hearing at the Court of Appeal, three judges, Lord Justice Rix, Mr Justice Nelson and Mr Justice Teare, ruled that the conviction was "unsafe" and quashed it.

Lord Justice Rix told the Court of Appeal: "The appeal is allowed, the conviction for murder is quashed."

Bullen's counsel, Maura McGowan QC, had argued that his 11-day trial had not been fair to him and that his conviction was not "safe".

But, having quashed the conviction, the judge said that it was "in the public interest" that a re-trial of the murder allegations take place.

He ordered that a new indictment be drawn up within the next two months so that Mr Bullen can stand trial again.

Further details of the hearing and argument cannot be reported for legal reasons.