A 38-year-old man admitted a manslaughter charge when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today.

Darren McKay was accused of murdering Lee Walden, 51, at a block of flats in Ashford and was due to stand trial next week.

But his guilty plea to the lesser charge was accepted by the prosecution.

The victim’s body was discovered at a ground floor flat at Cherry Tree House in Bybrook Road, Kennington, between May 16 and 18.

He is believed to have died from head injuries.

Oliver Saxby QC, defending, said there had been “violence on both sides”. The victim was susceptible, he said, because he had various health issues.

Prosecutor Martin Rutherford QC said McKay’s last conviction was for actual bodily harm in 2010.

Judge Adele Williams noted that McKay, of Beecholme Drive, Kennington, did not have an extensive criminal record but said there was enough violence in it to require a pre-sentence report.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on January 23.