The trial of a man accused of killing 32-year-old Jennie Banner is due to begin today.

Marcus Coates, of Ernest Road, Chatham, was arrested the day after Ms Banner's body was found in her top-floor flat in Five Ways Court, Chatham High Street, on Friday, August 19 last year.

The 43-year-old was charged the following day.

A post mortem revealed Ms Banner died of compression of the neck.

The former pupil of Woodlands Secondary School, Gillingham, is thought to have been working as a prostitute at the time of her death.

More than 100 mourners attended her funeral last September (pictured below).

Coates pleaded not guilty to murder at Maidstone Crown Court in November and was remanded in custody. The trial is expected to last a week.