A jury has retired to consider a verdict in the trial of a man accused of murdering a vulnerable grandfather at his home.

Paul Campbell, known as Noodles, was arrested after his palm and fingerprints were found on an oven in victim Steve Berry’s kitchen.

Mr Berry, who was an alcoholic, died from a combination of haemorrhage and head injury with severe injuries including a fractured skull and brain damage.

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

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

Campbell, of Farley Close, Lordswood, denied murder, claiming he had never been to the 59-year-old’s ground floor flat.

The prosecution alleged the forensic evidence pointed overwhelmingly to 30-year-old Campbell’s involvement in the killing.

The jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard that despite Mr Berry’s unkempt appearance and untidy flat he was “reasonably wealthy”.

Prosecutor Richard Jory QC said Mr Berry had been living alone in Kinross Close, Princes Park, Chatham, for about 18 months before the killing, between July 10 and 12 last year.

Neighbour Graham Fitzgerald alerted the emergency services on Sunday, July 12.

Mr Berry, who was in poor health, had not been seen for two days and Mr Fitzgerald became concerned about the unpleasant smell coming from the flat.

He entered the flat and saw the body of Mr Berry on the kitchen floor,” said Mr Jory.

The initial suspicion fell on Mr Fitzgerald, who was arrested and held in custody.

Mr Jory said by Campbell’s own admission he lied in police interviews about where he was between July 10 and 12.

“Distinct and clear” palm prints, “a perfect match” to Campbell’s, were found low on the door of the oven just under 2ft from the floor and next to where the body was discovered.

Campbell, who worked at Auto Renovations in Hoo, was arrested on July 26. He denied knowing Mr Berry or ever being in the flat.

“He could think of no explanation as to how his fingerprints could be on the door of the oven,” said Mr Jory.

“The Crown say the only explanation is the obvious one – that he was there and involved.”

The court was told various people preyed on the victim for his money. One, a prostitute, was said to have fleeced him out of as much as £30,000.