A pensioner is to go on trial at the end of the year accused of killing a man in a shooting at his home.

Sixty-nine-year-old David Hucker has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Williamson after appearing at Maidstone Crown Court.

Mr Williamson, 43, sustained a fatal shotgun wound at the property in Dartford Road, Dartford just after midday on May 11.

The two men were known to each other and Mr Williamson lived in nearby Northfleet.

Danny Moore, defending, told the court the issue for the jury at trial would be lack of intent.

The pensioner appeared in court via prison video link and was remanded in custody by Judge David Griffith-Jones QC until a pre-trial review hearing on November 12.

His trial is due to start on December 6 and is expected to last two weeks.

News of the death shocked neighbours on the road.

Resident Adam Cruft and his partner were alerted to a disturbance shortly after 11am.

He said last week: "We were just sitting in the back room when we heard sirens. We came outside initially 10 to 15 minutes after police arrived. I saw paramedics rushing in and out."

The neighbour, who lives a few doors down, said he saw a man in his 60s being led away, in handcuffs.

He witnessed a body bag being removed from the house around 9.30pm and the cordon which had been in place for much of the day was removed shortly after around 10pm.

Floral tributes were left outside the home which was being guarded by a police officer.

A Union Flag with the names Dan, Rob and Jake was also left draped across the front wall of the property.

It read: "B Company. Forever in our hearts. Our friend and our brother."

KMTV's report from the time

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