Man to stand trial accused of murdering 25-year-old man near Dover

Stephen Rooke, 68, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Else

Author: Anahita Hossein-Pour, Press AssociationPublished 4th Mar 2026

A man will face trial accused of murdering a 25-year-old man near Dover in Kent.

Stephen Rooke, 68, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Else at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday.

Officers had been called on January 29 after reports of an assault at a private address in Rose Gardens, Eythorne, Dover, said Kent Police.

Mr Else, who appeared to have been stabbed, was treated by paramedics but was later confirmed dead.

Rooke, of Rose Gardens, Eythorne, will stand trial on July 27. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.

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