A murder suspect has been bailed until he goes on trial in December accused of killing a former paratrooper in Rochester.

The rare move followed legal submissions by defence barrister David Hislop QC at Maidstone Crown Court.

Dennis Jones, who appeared via prison video link, had earlier pleaded not guilty to murdering 31-year-old Luke Sullivan in Rochester High Street last November.

Mr Hislop QC for Jones, 36, of Rochester High Street, applied for bail pending the trial which is due to be heard at at the same court at the end of the year.

Senior judge David Griffith-Jones QC said he would take an exceptional course and granted Jones his freedom until the trial.

Jones was on bail for several months before being charged with murdering the Sheppey-born former Minster College pupil.

After he was charged, he was then remanded to prison.

But after legal submissions by Mr Hislop, the judge said Jones could now have bail on conditions including surrendering his passport and he will also have to wear an electronic tag.

A surety of £15,000 was also ordered.

He will also have to live at his home in Gillingham, stay indoors between 7pm and 7am and stay away from Rochester High Street.

Judge Griffith-Jones also ordered that Jones undergo an examination by a psychiatrist prior to the trial, which is expected to take up to 10 days.

Mr Sullivan, a father-of-two, moved from Sheppey to Rochester seven years before his death.

Jones is set to stand trial on Monday, December 7.

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