TWO men accused of killing a man whose body has not been found will not stand trial until next July.

Michael Kemp, 31, and Lewis Scudder, 32, were not asked to enter pleas when they appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today and will not do so until January 28 at the earliest.

Kemp, who has a bail address in James Street, Sheerness, and Scudder, formerly of Noreen Avenue, Minster, now of Franklin Road, Dartford, are charge with murdering Paul Rowlands and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Scudder is also accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Rowlands disappeared on September 2 last year. He was last seen alive in Cecil Road, Sheerness.

Judge Andrew Patience, QC, set the trial date for July 4. David Bate, QC, prosecuting, said the current estimate for the length of the trial was three to five weeks.

The judge continued conditional bail for both men.