THE trial of two brothers accused of kicking a local 65-year-old woman to death has been delayed until January.

Dean Atkins, 26, and Michael Atkins, 24, were told yesterday they will continue to be held on remand until January 16, 2008.

They have been charged with the murder of restaurant owner Kam Fum Chung, known as Helen, on November 6 last year.

In July, the pair have both pleaded not guilty to murder and the aggravated burglary of Mrs Chung's home in Meadow View, Cowley.

The brothers also stand accused of a second string of offences, alleged to have taken place on the same night.

They also deny the false imprisonment and wounding of Bernard O'Dwyer, as well as the aggravated burglary and carrying a fake gun with intent to commit aggravated burglary at his home in Vine Lane, Uxbridge.

The brothers, of no fixed address, were due to stand trial on January 7 next year.

Judge Stephen Kramer QC delayed the start of the trial, which is expected to last four weeks, after being told the court could not accommodate it unless it was rescheduled.

Neither defence team objected to the delay.

The brothers appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday via a video link from prison.

They are accused of carrying out the attacks with Joseph Carty, 22, of Castle Avenue, West Drayton, who was found hanged in his cell at Belmarsh prison in February.