Murder trial held up by walkout

The trial of a man accused of murdering an old soldier whose remains were found in a tent near Canterbury has stalled.

A jury was sworn in at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday but the start was delayed on Tuesday because of industrial action by prison officers.

Judge Adele Williams sent the panel of 10 men and two women away until yesterday (Wednesday) morning, only to tell them there were still “important preliminary preparations” to be made.

The jury was then sent away again, this time until midday today (Thursday).

“You must think I am a very wicked woman keeping you waiting,” the judge said before adjourning.

Richard Donovan is alleged to have shot Philip Fox, 60, between July 1 last year and April 25 this year.

He was arrested two weeks after Mr Fox’s decomposed body was found in undergrowth behind B&M Bargains on the Riverside Retail Park in Wincheap on April 25.

The 26-year-old, of Westhorne Avenue, Eltham, south east London, denies murder.

In the dock with him is Tony Hindmarsh, 36, of Romney Sands Holiday Park, Greatstone, who denies selling or transferring a shotgun to another between May 1 and June 30 last year.

The charge alleges that he transferred or sold the weapon to Donovan when he had not produced a shotgun certificate. He has admitted possessing prohibited ammunition.