A 28-year-old man was today remanded in custody by a court accused of murdering 66-year-old Richard Cromarty who died after being stabbed at his home in Kingsley Road, Maidstone, last Tuesday.

Sherzad Jamal Muhamed, also of Kingsley Road, Maidstone, appeared before magistrates at Maidstone.

Mr Muhamed, an Iraqi national, spoke through an interpreter, to confirm his name and address. He rejected the offer of legal representation. He was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, July 28.

Mr Cromarty died in Maidstone Hospital. A post mortem examination later confirmed that death was due to multiple stab wounds.

Mr Cromarty was a single man who lived in a top-floor bedsit.