A 25-year-old man has denied murdering a pensioner whose body was discovered at a Maidstone flat.

John Barham, of Quarry Road, entered the plea from a secure dock at Maidstone Crown Court today.

He is jointly charged with Allison Tomlin, of no fixed address, of murdering John Birney, 69, between May 29 and June 8. Tomlin, 48, also denies the charge.

Mr Birney’s decomposing body was found at his home in Rocky Hill Terrace, Rocky Hill, in June.

Judge Philip Statman refused a handcuffs application by dock officers for Barham during the short hearing.

In separate charges, Barham also denied assaulting Vickki Tucker by beating, assaulting Joanne James causing actual bodily harm and three offences of falsely imprisoning Joanne James, Vickki Tucker and Jade Saunders,

He admitted damaging a police cell on the same date, August 30.

A jury will be sworn in for the trial on Friday, December 4, but it will not start until Monday, December 7. It is expected to last until after Christmas.

Judge Statman said it was “absolutely critical” that there were no delays. A pre-trial review will be held on November 20.

John Fitzgerald, defending, was granted an application for a QC to represent Barham.

Both Tomlin and Barham have been remanded in custody.