by Keith Hunt

A Latvian man has denied murder following the discovery of a body at a flat in Margate last year.

Renes Kutkevics, 25, entered the not guilty plea when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

He is alleged to have killed 24-year-old Nikita Panarins in Hawley Square between November 11 and 12.

Judge Andrew Patience QC proposed to transfer the trial to London's Old Bailey but reconsidered after hearing it would pose difficulties with a number of the 33 witnesses, some of them also Latvian, having to travel from Thanet.

John O'Higgins, defending, said Kutkevics had little or no English and a "variety of interpreters" would be required.

Kutkevics, of Hawley Square, will, therefore, stand trial at Maidstone on June 28. He was remanded in custody.

Mr Panarins worked at a warehouse for Morrisons supermarket in Sittingbourne.