A 36-year-old man and his teenage son have been cleared of attempted murder and other serious charges in mysterious and unusual circumstances.

Billy Smith, and his son, also Billy, 18, were facing a five-week trial this month, over allegations that they tried to kill Daniel King outside a Co-op store in Watchgate, Darenth, near Dartford, on January 10.

But when the case was listed for an "application" at Maidstone Crown Court

on Wednesday, the Crown offered no evidence against the two men.

Philip St John-Stevens, prosecuting, told Judge Warwick McKinnon that he could provide the reasons for the decision to him in private, but did not want to reveal them in open court.

The judge replied that he would like to know the reasons and Mr St John-Stevens went into his chambers to explain. Defence counsel were not permitted to attend.

Andrew Lewis, defending Smith Snr, said neither of the men had been brought from custody in Elmley Prison, Sheppey, for the hearing as expected.

Police officers waited outside the courtroom and Mr Lewis said he understood "the sensitivity as far as the public gallery is concerned".

The father, of Carlton Avenue, Greenhithe, near Dartford, and his son, of Green Street, Green Road, Darenth, both denied attempting to murder 47-year-old Mr King, who suffered a knife wound to his back.

They also denied damaging a Ford Transit van on October 19 last year and a Ford Fiesta car on December 22.

Smith Snr, a father-of-three, further denied causing grievous bodily harm to Mr King with intent on August 23 last year.

Judge McKinnon entered not guilty verdicts on all charges.