A man accused of murdering a vulnerable grandfather in his Medway home is facing a retrial after a jury failed to reach a verdict.

The panel of six men and six women had deliberated for over 27 hours spread over five days before today declaring they were deadlocked.

Paul Campbell, known as Noodles, denied murdering Steve Berry at is flat in Kinross Close, Princes Park, between July 10 and 12 2015.

The 30-year-old, of Farley Close, Chatham, was arrested after Mr Berry’s body was discovered by a neighbour.

The victim, who was 59 and said to be “reasonably wealthy”, died from a combination of haemorrhage and head injury from “multiple blunt impacts” and penetrating knife injuries to his head and face.

Mr Berry, an alcoholic who previously lived at Melville Court in Brompton, had severe head injuries including a fractured skull and brain damage.

There were stab wounds to the upper chest and defensive injuries to both hands.

A pathologist concluded that food tins, a Stanley knife or the broken handle of a milk pan could have been used as weapons.

Campbell, who worked at Auto Renovations in Hoo, went on trial at Maidstone Crown Court on November 30 last year.

Prosecutor Richard Jory QC was given until Monday, January 16 to decide whether there should be a retrial.

Campbell was remanded in custody.