A man accused of trying to smother his father to death with a pillow has denied attempted murder.

Darryn Howe, 39, is said to have tried to kill Leslie Howe at an address in Margate on April 7 this year.

Howe, who lives in the town, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court today for a pre-trial preparation hearing, where he entered a not guilty plea.

A trial date has been set at the same court for June 12.

Canterbury’s most senior judge, Simon James, granted Howe bail on the conditions that he does not contact a number of prosecution witnesses or attend two care homes - Ashcroft in Cliftonville and Copperfields in Ramsgate.

He must also live and sleep at an address in St Anthony's Way, Margate.

The trial is expected to hear Howe claim he was "not intending to kill his father", the court heard.

Danny Moore, defending, said Howe “accepts he put the pillow over his father’s head for a short time”.

But Howe argues he was “going through a breakdown” and was “not intending to kill his father", Mr Moore said.

The barrister said Howe also asserts an admission he allegedly made was “not a true confession”.

Dressed in a white shirt and dark trousers and sitting next to one dock officer, Howe could be seen listening intently while his upcoming court dates were being arranged.

The trial is expected to last about five days.