A Ramsgate man has denied attempted murder by reason of insanity.

Benjamin Emanuel is alleged to have tried to kill Christopher McKeen in the town on December 4 last year.

Emanuel, 40, of Hardres Street, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, August 8, and entered his plea.

A jury will now hear evidence from a psychiatrist during a trial on August 18. It is expected to last less than a day.

Prosecutor Christopher May told Judge Jeremy Carey jurors would simply have to decide whether Emanuel was not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity.

“There is no dispute that he did the acts,” he added.

Emanuel, who was flanked in the dock by a male nurse, was remanded in custody.