A man is to go on trial at Canterbury Crown Court in the New Year accused of murder.

John Buchanan, 21, of St John's Crescent in Ramsgate, appeared by prison video link from HMP Elmley.

He pleaded not guilty to the murder of 40-year-old Michael Ward, also known as Archie, in St John's Crescent, who died from a stab wound last month.

Mr Ward is believed to have driven to Bush Avenue in Ramsgate, where he got out of the car and collapsed in the street.

Police and ambulance crews were called but Mr Ward died at the scene after suffering a stab wound to the thigh.

Buchanan, who is expected to be defended by Oliver Saxby QC, sat through the 20-minute preparation and trial hearing.

It will be Judge Norton’s first murder trial after she was given what is described in legal circles as her “murder ticket” – the right to preside over the most serious of cases.