A Chatham man has appeared in court and admitted killing dad-of-one Michael Tierney.

George French, 39, pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murdering the 33-year-old Mr Tierney, who was found injured in Haig Avenue earlier this year.

Judge Adele Williams was told that the plea was not accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service and a trial will go ahead next week.

French, of Ansell Avenue and William Fleming, 26, of White Road, Chatham will face a murder trial at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, November 16.

Fleming had denied murder at an earlier hearing. Both men are remanded in custody.

Mr Tierney died from head injuries in June this year; his family described him as “a wonderful son, fiance, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and incredible dad”.

In a statement, they said: “Our beloved Mikey was one in a million. A light has gone out in our lives and our hearts are shattered.”

A 27-year-old Chatham woman has previously admitted attempting to pervert justice in the case.

Kelly Wicker, of Haig Avenue, pleaded guilty to the charge at Canterbury Crown Court.

She was remanded in custody awaiting the outcome of the trial.