A man accused of murder appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday and was remanded in custody.

Daniel Fox, 34, is accused of the murder of James O’Rourke, 29, after his half-naked body was discovered at flats in Chatham.

A man and a woman also accused of his murder appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, September 4.

Neil Taylor, 35, and Caroline Rushworth, 34, both of Shipwrights Avenue, were due to be in the dock with 34-year-old Fox, of no fixed address, but his case was later transferred to the Central Criminal Court, in London, and he appeared there via video link from prison.

The three are alleged to have killed Mr O’Rourke, who was found wearing just his boxer shorts in the stairwell between floors four and five at Caulkers House in Shipwrights Avenue on Bank Holiday Monday, August 28.

Homeless Mr O’Rourke, who died from trauma to his face and head, was discovered by a man visiting his mother at the flats shortly before 8am.

Taylor, who had two black eyes, and Rushworth, were remanded in custody until September 28, when they will enter pleas along with Fox.

Fox was also further remanded in custody to the same date and his case was sent back to Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with.

When Taylor and Rushworth appeared before Judge Jeremy Carey at Maidstone, he set a trial date for February 26 next year.

Rushworth waved and smiled at people in the public gallery and blew kisses.