Fatal town centre stabbing
Deborah Jones, prosecuting, said all four were identified on CCTV by their clothes. Margaret Hyde was defending Aweys and Small. She revealed Aweys, a Somalian-born British citizen, was arrested after walking away from the incident with blood on his arm.
She told the court the blood was there after he helped one of his friends and he ‘feared for his life’ during the brawl.
All four men will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, September 24 after giving no indication of a plea due to not all of the evidence being presented. Aweys, Small and Thompson-Cox were all remanded in custody.
Gelani was initially granted bail after his solicitor Simon Holmes described him as a “hard-working, intelligent young man” who helped provide for his family. His conditions included a tagged curfew and staying away from Kent.
However, the prosecution challenged this decision and he remains in custody until a further hearing is held.
Police confirmed a fifth man was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and perverting the course of justice. He remains in custody. Flowers have been left in Maidstone town centre in memory of student Andre Bent.
One of the bouquets left was by staff at The Brenchley, with a message: “May you rest in peace. All our love.”
Mr Bent’s cousin is former S Club 7 singer Bradley McIntosh.
His sister Michaela said on Twitter: “He did not deserve this in any way shape or form. He went out that night to enjoy himself and celebrate a friend’s birthday.
“I will not see my brother again and nothing can change that. What we can do is find the person who did this and let justice serve its course.”
Cousin Louis Annan said: “I want everyone to know that my cousin had an amazing heart and was on his way to make a positive impact in this world.
Mr Bent studied business management at London South Bank University.