A murder and robbery trial involving 13 defendants may have to be heard in two separate hearings because of the large number of suspects accused.

Xhovan Pepaj, 25, of Caley Road, Tunbridge Wells died in his home after suffering stab wounds in his back and through his heart in December last year.

An inquest opening heard how several 999 calls were made to a large incident at the address involving knives and guns, as well as a fire.

Initially, it was expected one trial would be heard at a "super court" at Loughborough beginning on January 12.

But now a 13th person has been charged there are fears it cannot fairly accommodate more than 12 defendants for the expected 10-week trial.

Judge Philip St John Stevens is having discussions with senior officials to see if the indictment could be severed and heard by two different juries - with the possibility the trials could be heard at Maidstone Crown Court.

A High Court judge has yet to be be assigned and a decision on the venue will be taken next week.

All 13 defendants were indicted on counts of murder, manslaughter and conspiring to commit robbery.

Most recently Fabian Szymule, 20, of Callan Grove, South Ockenden appeared by prison video link to plead not guilty.

The other defendants include Ciaran Stewart, 18, of Curtis Road, Hornchurch; Donte Simpson-Palmer, 18, of Norfolk Road, Ilford; Mohammed Miah, 25, of Highfield Road, Romford; Nathan Turner, 28, of Myrtle Road, Brentwood; Zach Cutting, 23, of Roundhills, Waltham Abbey; Ray Renda, 21, of Sandringham Road, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood; Nathan Rainforth, 20, of Gloucester Road, Pilgrims Hatch; Bartosz Malawski, 26, of Hainault Road, Romford; Glen Hough, 51, of Larchwood Gardens, Brentwood and a 17-year-old boy from Ilford.

More than £2.7 million has been spent to revamp Loughborough Magistrates’ Court - creating a space that is much larger than a usual courtroom.

It will host trials for offences that have a large number of defendants.