THREE people will go on trial later this week accused of murdering 54-year-old Prabjot Singh Rayat in Thamesmead.

Belvedere residents Robert Burrows, 34, and Surinder Chana, 44, who live together in Lower Park Road, are charged with murder and conspiracy to rob.

They will be joined in the dock at Wood Green Crown Court by Clifford Collins, 40, of Mounts Road in Greenhithe, who faces the same charges.

All three defendants deny both charges.

The trial was due to get underway this morning but will now start on Thursday morning.

It is expected the jury will be sworn in tomorrow.

The body Mr Rayat, who had three children, was found at his Rayat Autos business on an industrial estate in Nathan Way, Thamesmead, early on June 8 last year.

A post mortem investigation revealed the Pickford Lane resident died of a stab wound.

The trial is expected to last between three and four weeks.