An ex-soldier whose remains were found in a tent near Canterbury had been shot with at least 63 pellets, it has been revealed.

The details were given when Richard Donovan appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today and pleaded not guilty to the murder of Philip Fox.

The 26-year-old, of Westhorne Avenue, Eltham, south London, is accused of killing rough sleeper Mr Fox, who was 60, between July 1 last year and April 25 this year.

Judge Jeremy Carey said it was not disputed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound in the pelvic area of the victim’s body.

Donovan will stand trial on November 14. He was remanded in custody.

He was arrested two weeks after the decomposed body was found in undergrowth behind B&M Bargains on the Riverside Retail Park on April 25.