Four Lithuanian men have today denied murdering Italian waiter Joele Leotta in Maidstone.

Father-to-be Aleksandras Zuravliovas, 26, Linas Zidonis, 21, Tomas Gelezinis, 30, and 23-year-old Saulius Tamoliunas pleaded not guilty.

They also denied wounding Mr Leotta's friend Alex Galbiati with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Zuravliovas, of Beaumont Road; Zidonis, of no fixed address; Gelezinis, of Lower Stone Street; Tamoliunas, of Union Street, all Maidstone, are due to stand trial on April 7.

The four men, who entered their pleas with the assistance of two interpreters, were remanded in custody at Maidstone Crown Court.

Mr Leotta, 20, suffered multiple injuries at a flat over Vesuvius Italian restaurant in Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, on October 20 last year.

He arrived in Maidstone with Mr Galbiati to learn English just 10 days before his death.