David Fuller pleads not guilty to the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in Tunbridge Wells 30 years ago

David Fuller is accused of killing Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, in 1987.

The trial at Maidstone Crown Court is expected to turn on scientific evidence, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC was told.

Wendy Knell was just 25 when she was discovered sexually assaulted and beaten to death at her bedsit in Guildford Road, Tunbridge Wells, in June 1987.

Five months later, Caroline Pierce, 20, went missing from her bedsit in Grosvenor Park, only for her body to be found weeks later on Romney Marsh.

The 66-year-old, from Alder Close, Heathfield, East Sussex, appeared by prison video link from Lewes Prison and responded “not guilty” to each charge.

His trial was set for July 5 this year but prosecution lawyers have now revealed that forensic work was still be carried out.

So with the agreement of prosecution and defence barristers, a new date of October 25 was fixed for the four-week trial.

Fuller, who spoke only to enter his pleas, was remanded in custody.