Two men accused of murdering a 33-year-old father in Chatham appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today.

George French, 39, and William Fleming, 26, both from the town, are alleged to have caused Michael Tierney fatal injuries a week ago.

French, of Ansell Avenue, and Fleming, of White Road, will enter pleas on September 10. A trial date was set for November 16. It is expected to last three weeks.

French appeared for the preliminary hearing by TV link with HMP Lewes, while Fleming appeared separately by a link with HMP Elmley.

Judge Jeremy Carey asked: “Is it accident or by design they are in different prisons?” Prosecutor Ryan Richter replied that it was by design.

Mr Richter said the pair had been sent to the court the previous day by magistrates. No bail applications were made and they were remanded in custody.

Fleming’s girlfriend Kelly Whicker, 27, of Haig Avenue, has been charged with assisting an offender. She has been remanded in custody and will appear for a preliminary hearing on July 10.

Father-of-one Mr Tierney, from Chatham, was discovered with serious injuries in Haig Avenue shortly before 11pm last Tuesday. He was taken to a London hospital but died on Thursday.

Police said trouble began in Glencoe Road at about 10.45pm on Tuesday, and continued in Magpie Hall Road.

Mr Tierney’s family issued a statement describing him as “one in a million” and thanked the community for support since his death.

It said: “Our beloved Mikey was one in a million a wonderful son, fiancé, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and incredible dad to Jojo who he adored and a great stepdad.

“A light has gone out in our lives and our hearts are shattered.

“We would like to thank our family and all the community who have shown so much love and support for our Mikey.”

On Friday evening, a crowd of about 100 of Mr Tierney’s family and friends gathered in Victoria Park, Fort Pitt Hill, Chatham, to let off hundreds of balloons in his memory.

Friends and family of Michael Tierney released balloons in his memory

Four other people were arrested in connection with Mr Tierney’s death.

A 39-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, both from Chatham, were held on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail until July 31.

A 26-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman who were arrested have since been released without charge.