The partner of a mum-of-three found stabbed to death at the weekend is to go on trial accused of her murder.

Thomas Allen allegedly killed Samantha Murphy in Elfrida Close, Margate, in the early hours of Saturday.

He appeared today at Maidstone Crown Court via prison video link but did not enter a plea.

The 38-year-old, of Elfrida Close, was remanded in custody and will stand trial on January 3, 2023.

Kelsie Murphy, who is accused of assisting an offender by concealing a weapon, appeared via a video link from a house in London.

The 26-year-old, of West Dumpton Lane, Ramsgate, did not enter a plea.

She was granted bail until the next hearing on August 18, when pleas and trial preparation will be decided.

The trial at Maidstone is expected to take between three to four weeks.

Police were called to Elfrida Close at about 3.10am on Saturday and found Ms Murphy, 37, had suffered stab wounds.

She was later pronounced dead.

Samantha's niece, Megan Murphy, has launched a fundraiser to help her children pay for her funeral.

She wrote: "My auntie leaves behind her nine-year-old, 14-year-old and her 22-year-old Tommy Lee."

Megan wrote that the family "don't know exactly what happened yet" but wants to give Samantha a "beautiful send-off".

"Please keep our broken family in your hearts, especially my baby cousins," she added.