Man guilty of manslaughter after botched drugs deal

A man has admitted killing a person who was hit by a car after he ran away when he threatened him with a knife.

The incident happened on St Michael's Road in Sittingbourne town centre at about 21:30 BST on 2 August last year, resulting in a man in his 30s being pronounced dead at the scene.

On Tuesday, Chris Maclean was due to stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court for the murder of Jay Gerrett following a drugs deal gone wrong, but the Crown Prosecution Service instead accepted a plea of manslaughter.

Maclean, of Pembury Court, Sittingbourne also admitted possession of a knife and supplying drugs. He will be sentenced on Thursday.

The prosecution offered no evidence against two other defendants, Daniel Martin and Jack Hunt, meaning both were formally acquitted of the charge of murder.

However, Hunt, 33, from Platinum Way, Borden, had admitted supplying cocaine to Gerrett and will be sentenced for that on 1 May.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.