A murder trial involving two Margate men was dramatically halted today after the judge heard legal arguments.

Klaudijus Klimanskis, 41, of Athelstan Road, and Aurimas Vilius, 24, of Cornwall Gardens had both denied killing Edvardus Barcevicius in the town last July.

But now, the jury at Canterbury Crown Court, which began listening to evidence a week ago, has been discharged from giving verdicts.

A new trial, presided over by Judge Heather Norton, is expected to begin on September 24.

The decision to halt the trial was taken after a day and a half of legal discussions between senior counsel for the Crown, both defendants and the judge.