Only one man will stand trial accused of murdering a pensioner after the remaining four suspects were released without charge.

The body of 73-year-old mechanic Roy Blackman was discovered by his daughter, naked and beaten at his Biddenden bungalow in March.

A huge police investigation was launched in which eight men were arrested — one of whom, William 'Curly Bill' Smith was shot dead by officers while on bail.

Mark Love was charged with murder and a separate aggravated burglary at the home of a world champion shooter in Rye, during which he is alleged to have armed himself with a hammer and a taser.

The 38-year-old from Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, has denied both charges and will stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, September 5.

Earlier this month one man arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and assisting an offender and a second arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender were released without charge.

A Kent Police spokesman has confirmed four men arrested on suspicion of murder were released without charge yesterday.

They are a 41-year-old and a 49-year-old, both of Maidstone, a 36-year-old from Golford, near Cranbrook, and a 32-year-old of Ashford.

The spokesman added: "This continues to be an active investigation."

At the time of Mr Blackman's death detectives confirmed they were looking for several suspects.

Det Insp Lee Whitehead said: "Mr Blackman was beaten to death in his own home in what appears to be a violent burglary. A safe is missing from the property and we are keen to locate it.

"Mr Blackman was a well-known and well liked member of the community; he ran businesses in the area for many years and had a family who are distraught by his murder.

“I believe that several suspects would have carried out this crime. They have targeted a vulnerable man in his own home leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.

"It’s important these people are arrested and I urge anyone who has any information about this crime to come forward.”