A teenager on trial for murder needed emergency treatment for a raging toothache.

Shane Challice and five other teenagers are accused of murdering Hailsham father-of-two Gary Rae.

Challice, 19, has been suffering for two days from chronic pain caused by a hole in one of his teeth.

The pain had become so bad that he was unable to concentrate on the evidence being given at Hove Crown Court and felt unable to continue yesterday.

He was told that the earliest he could be seen by a dentist would be on Thursday next week.

Challice had been taking ordinary painkillers for his toothache but the problem had become so acute he was in danger of exceeding the maximum dose.

A doctor was called to the court at lunchtime to give him stronger pain relief.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall also asked court staff to try to arrange treatment for Challice.

An emergency appointment was made for him to see a dentist during the afternoon. The trial continued in his absence while he was being treated but he is expected to be back in time for the hearing to resume today.

Richard Cherrill, defending, told the jury: "You will notice that Mr Challice is not here this afternoon. He has a dental appointment at 3pm."

The court had earlier heard that Mr Rae, 40, died after he was attacked outside his flat in High Street, Hailsham.

It is alleged that William Devall, 19, got together a gang to beat up the divorcee because he was jealous that his ex-girlfriend was visiting him.

It is claimed that Devall, of Meadow Road, Hailsham, and a 17-year-old juvenile repeatedly battered him with baseball bats.

They deny murder but admit manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Challice, of South Road, Hailsham;

Jason Jackson, 18, of Albert Road, Polegate, and two juveniles aged 16 and 17 deny murder.

It is alleged they either punched or kicked Mr Rae during the attack or encouraged the others to do so.

The trial continues.