A 25-year-old man pleaded not guilty earlier today to an alleged hit-and-run murder in Medway.

Jake Austin is accused of killing John O’Donohue, 33, who was also known as John Hedges, suffered severe head injuries after being struck by a Ford Mondeo car in Castlemaine Avenue, Gillingham, on January 23.

Austin’s lawyer asked for the trial at Maidstone Crown Court to be delayed until September, but Judge Jeremy Carey said it would keep its place in the list for July 28 “at the moment”.

He added: “The balance falls heavily on having a trial in July within the custody time limit.”

Austin, formerly of Priestfield Road, Gillingham, but now of Dunkery Road, Eltham, was remanded in custody.