A man will go on trial later this year accused of manslaughter following an incident in Strood.

Albanian Shpendi Hakili,38, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court by prison video link and denied killing Sazan Bako, 35, from Maidstone on November 20 last year.

Hakili, from Glasgow, is expected to claim self-defence and the trial, which will start on September 4, will last five days.

Speaking through an interpreter, Hakili pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

The charge relates to an incident that happened in November 2022 where a man was reported to have been assaulted near Cuxton Road, Strood, and later died.

Judge Julian Smith told him he has until June 6 when he has to submit what is known in court as a Defence Case Statement

He was remanded into custody until his trial.