The body of alleged murder victim Stephen Chapman was discovered in a wheelie bin at the Rochester home of a teenager who has now been charged with killing him, it has been revealed.

George Knights, 18, has now been remanded into custody after appearing by prison video link from Elmley.

His barrister Paul Jackson told Judge David Griffith-Jones QC that no application for bail was being made at present.

The hearing at Maidstone Crown Court was delayed for more than half-an-hour after "technical" problems at the prison.

A trial date was set for May 17 next year and Knights, of Delce Road, is expected to enter his plea at hearing on November 25.

Prosecutor Caroline Carberry QC revealed that Mr Chapman's body was discovered at an address at Delce Road, Rochester after being reported missing by his girlfriend days earlier.

She revealed police discovered the body of the "well known and popular" Mr Chapman in a wheelie bin and Knights was later arrested at another address.

Knights spoke only to confirm his name, age and British nationality. He is expected to plead self-defence at his murder trial.

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