A woman accused of stabbing a man to death will argue at her trial that she acted in self-defence.

Paige Poulton, 19, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today (August 21) where she pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and having a bladed article.

It is alleged she stabbed 25-year-old Jack Cadwallader in the chest with a knife outside a flat in Southfields Way, Harrietsham, near Maidstone, in the early hours of July 2.

Mr Cadwallader was taken to hospital where he later died.

Poulton, of Southey Road, Haringey, London, was arrested at the scene and has been in custody since.

An application for bail made by her defence barrister Stephen Moses KC during today's proceedings was refused by Judge Philip St.John-Stevens.

Poulton's trial, estimated to last four weeks, has been provisonally fixed to begin on December 2 but the court was told the start date may have to be adjourned until the end of March or early April.

Mr Moses told the court the issue in the case was one of self-defence.

A further hearing will be held on October 22.

Remanding Poulton into custody, Judge St.John-Stevens told her: "Your trial at the moment is fixed for December 2. It may move.

"The next date you will be before the court is October 22 to decide when the trial will be and other matters to ensure the prosecution have served all the material so you can formulate your defence. In the meantime, you shall be remanded in custody."