A teenager has appeared in court to deny attempted murder.

Jimmy Devlin was arrested following an incident in The Tideway, Rochester, on January 18 where the victim suffered multiple stab wounds.

Police were called at 6.37pm following a report a man had been assaulted in an area close to a communal entrance for flats.

Ambulance crews attended and the victim, who is aged in his 20s, was taken to a London hospital.

Devlin, of Stock Close, Rochester, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court by prison video link.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

As barristers and the judge discussed a possible trial date, the 19-year-old interrupted proceedings – fearing staff thought it had been a guilty plea.

Judge Jeremy Donne QC reassured him they had heard his not guilty pleas and Devlin apologised after raising his thumbs.

His barrister Lucy Luttman told the court the defence is likely to be he wasn't there and he was the victim of a "malicious complaint".

The five-day trial has been scheduled for July 11.

The judge told Devlin he had to set out the nature of his defence by April 8.

It was reported earlier that a 54-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender had been released pending further investigation.