The trial of a builder accused of stabbing a family rival to death in Gravesend was halted today after he became ill in the witness box.

Baljinder Singh Kooner, 35, allegedly murdered Kamaljit Singh Kalon, 31, pictured left, in front of horrified witnesses near an ice cream kiosk at Gordon Promenade.

It was claimed he took part in the attack with his cousin, Guljinder Singh Gurewal, 35, who is serving a life sentence after admitted the murder.

Kooner, formerly of Astra Drive, Gravesend, left the UK after the killing on July 10, 2003, but was arrested last year.

He told Old Bailey jurors he did not know Gurewal was armed with a knife during the tussle.

Recorder Peter Beaumont QC said: "The defendant is currently suffering from an acute mental illness, either paranoid schizophrenia or a stress-induced psychosis."

Kooner, who denies murder, will face a retrial when he has recovered.

Jurors heard Mr Kalon, known as Bobby, suffered 33 stab wounds as well as bite marks and had his throat cut after he punched Kooner's sister in the face.

Mr Kalon lived with his wife in Sidcup, with her three children from a previous marriage.