A 16-year-old boy accused of murdering a middle-aged man in Maidstone has appeared at the town’s Crown Court.

Wayne Chester, 50, is alleged to have died after a single punch in Week Street.

Police and paramedics were called to McDonald’s at 10.30pm on Friday following reports of a disturbance.

Mr Chester suffered a head injury. He was taken to a London hospital and put into an induced coma, but later died.

The boy, from Maidstone, will enter a plea on December 8. Judge Jeremy Carey set a provisional trial date for April 9 next year.

“This is a case of utmost gravity,” he said.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in the dock wearing a green sweatshirt and a rosary around his neck. He spoke only to be identified.

Oliver Saxby QC, defending, said there was no bail application as the boy no longer had an address to go to.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor said the incident was captured on CCTV cameras.

Three other boys from the town, aged 18,17 and 15, who were also arrested, have been bailed until Thursday, October 12.