Harrietsham murder took one minute, jury told

The alleged murder took place at a property in Southfields Way, Harrietsham

The alleged murder of a man at a property in Kent lasted just over 60 seconds, a trial has heard.

Paige Poulton, 20, from Southey Road in Haringey, London, denies murdering Jack Cadwallader, 25, with a kitchen knife in the early hours of 2 July, 2024, in Southfields Way, Harrietsham.

During closing arguments at Maidstone Crown Court, the prosecution told the jury Mr Cadwallader arrived at the address at 01:31:30 BST and that by 01:32:39 he had been stabbed before he started bleeding to death.

Ms Poulton's barrister has insisted his client responded in self defence and did not act unlawfully.

Ms Poulton is alleged to have punched her distant cousin's boyfriend in the mouth before picking up a kitchen knife and stabbing him through the chest.

Following the alleged stabbing, Ms Poulton hid in a bush for an hour until officers found her when they heard rustling foliage.

Ms Poulton later said Jack Cadwallader injured himself on the knife following a heated argument.

Prosecution barrister Sarah Jones KC said: "It makes no sense for him to decide to run himself onto the weapon."

Defence barrister Stephen Moses KC told the court Ms Poulton told Mr Cadwallader to leave the property after he entered uninvited.

"She tells him to go, she picks up the knife and is stood there frozen on that doorstep telling him to go away," he said.

"Such actions were necessary to protect herself, her cousin and her boyfriend."

The trial continues.