A man allegedly murdered at a farm near Canterbury last weekend was “punched with force” to the head, a court has heard.
Romanian Ion Niculae died following a row about music being played during “celebrations” at caravans being used as accommodation for transient workers.
It is alleged Robert Onicala, who was also among the workers at Mansfields fruit farm, off Nickle Lane in Chartham, struck the 51-year-old victim to the temple on Sunday, May 5.
However, in a brief hearing at Maidstone Crown Court today (May 10), prosecutor Daniel Stevenson said the exact cause of Mr Niculae’s death “required further investigation”.
Onicala, 20, of Ashford Road, Chartham, was arrested by police after being called to the farm at about 8.40pm.
South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended and Mr Niculae was pronounced dead at the scene.
Onicala, who is also Romanian, was subsequently charged with murder and affray.
No bail application was made on his behalf during the crown court hearing and he was remanded in custody by Judge Philip St.John-Stevens.
His 27-year-old brother Alexandru, also of Ashford Road, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.
The pair are expected to appear together at Canterbury Crown Court on June 4, with a trial due to start in January 2025.
Mansfields is Kent’s biggest fruit producer.
