The trial of a man accused of trying to murder his ex-wife in Tonbridge was dramatically halted this morning after an outbreak of Covid-19 in prison.

Thuan Dinh had been remanded to Elmley prison on Sheppey when two wings were closed earlier this week after an outbreak of the virus.

Now a jury at Maidstone Crown Court has been told that Dinh is still having to isolate after someone on his block tested positive for the disease.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens today decided to stop the trial and dismissed the jury, who began hearing evidence earlier this week.

Dinh, 52, of Rowan Mews, Tonbridge, has pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder his former wife by trying to strangle her before launching an attack with a fruit knife.

The prosecution had also claimed he had taken petrol with him intending to torch his ex-wife's business.

Mother-of-two Mrs Lien Dinh, 49, who ran the VCC Nail Bar in Tonbridge, had alleged her former husband once threatened to gouge out her eyes and use them to make porridge.

A re-trial is expected to begin on April 19 next year.

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