The trial of two men accused of murdering a supermarket worker at Westwood last year is due to start this afternoon.
Christopher Pollard, 20, and John Dickson, 27, are charged with killing 20-year-old Carl Gregory in an attack where he is said to have been choked and kicked at the car park by Hobbycraft on October 4.
The opening of the trial is due to take place at Maidstone Crown Court today (March 6) but neither of the accused is expected to appear in the court until after the jury has visited the murder scene on Wednesday.
Carl was found outside the Hobbycraft store at about 10pm on the night of the incident. The South East Coast Ambulance Service attended but Carl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pollard and Dickson were arrested shortly after.
The three were all known to each other.
Pollard and Dickson have both pleaded not guilty to murder.
Pollard, of Brimstone Hill, Meopham near Gravesend, and Dickson, of Northdown Road, Cliftonville, are expected to be on trial for three weeks.
Carl, who lived in Newington, was a former Marlowe pupil and football fan. A minute’s silence was held by Sunday league players in his memory shortly after his death.
In a statement through Kent Police Carl’s family said: “Carl will be greatly missed by his family and friends and we are still in a position where we are trying to come to terms with his death.”