A man accused of murdering his 55-year-old mother has failed to appear in court this morning.

Jamie Burnett, of Old Road, Chatham, was due in person at Maidstone Crown Court.

But his barrister John Fitzgerald told Judge David Griffith-Jones QC that his client had refused to leave his prison cell for the hearing.

He said: "His refusal wasn't one of aggression or being obnoxious. He was just described as being unwilling and incoherent."

The 27-year-old had been arrested last Thursday after the body of Lesley Spearing was found at her home in Oast View Terrace, Rainham.

She is believed to have had suffered a stab wound.

The judge said that yesterday Elmley Prison staff reported that they believed Burnett wasn't fit to attend but Mr Fitzgerald said medical staff now believed he was now fit make the journey to Maidstone but had refused to leave his cell.

The trial is expected to be heard in March or April next year and the next hearing when Burnett will enter his plea was set for December 19.

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