A man has denied murdering a 30-year-old dad who died after being stabbed at a caravan park near Canterbury.

Dumitru Palazu, 48, who lived on the Brotherhood Wood site in Gate Hill, Dunkirk, appeared via videolink at Maidstone Crown Court today.

He pleaded not guilty to the murder of Alexandru Constantinescu, who suffered a serious chest injury and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 7pm on Sunday.

He spoke only to confirm his age and nationality and to deny the murder charge through a Romanian translator.

His trial, which is scheduled for September 30, is expected to last for two weeks.

Oliver Kirk, defending, told Maidstone Crown Court Palazu is expected to claim self-defence.

He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.

The family and friends of victim Mr Constantinescu have set up a fundraiser in a bid to raise enough to bring body back to Romania.

They previously paid tribute to the 30-year-old by describing him as a music lover and "beautiful soul".

It is thought he worked as an apple picker for Pro-Force Ltd, a Maidstone-based firm which provides labour to the horticultural, agricultural and industrial sectors.

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