Five remanded over death

Five men have been remanded in custody over the death of a Wolverhampton man who was run down by a car following an alleged row over a lighter.

Stainton Barrett, aged 59, died after being hit by a BMW in All Saints early on Saturday morning.

Police believe he had been involved in a dispute with a number of men, who had been in a vehicle yards from his home in Banstead Close after he allegedly asked for a light.

A confrontation followed and he was hit by a car which then drove off, it is alleged.

At Wolverhampton Magistrates Court, Anthony Benson, aged 23, of Belle Vue Street, Woodcross, appeared charged with causing death by dangerous driving and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

He appeared with Andrew Currien, 30, of Pritchett Avenue, Lanesfield; David Garner, aged 26, of Beech Avenue, Woodcross; Daryl Rickhuss, aged 28, of Dovedale Road, Ettingshall Park; Paul Welburn, aged 30, of Moseley Road, Bilston.

They are all charged with affray and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. They were all remanded in custody, after applications for bail by the defence team failed.

Ian Williams, aged 40, of Newman Avenue, Lanesfield, has been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was granted conditional bail after an application by his lawyer.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for next week at Wolverhampton Crown Court. A plea and directions hearing is scheduled to take place on December 23 at the same court.

There was a large police presence at the court building. Around 30 friends and relatives of the victim and the defendants sat quietly in court eight, as details of the allegations, which cannot yet be reported for legal reasons, were read out.

The court heard that Mr Barrett had been with his brother Dalton on Saturday morning at around 5am, shortly before the tragedy.

Mr Barrett was taken to the city's New Cross Hospital after being struck by the car shortly after 5am, but was pronounced dead at around 6am. Officers closed off Banstead Close and Kent Road at its junction with Bradley Road and Major Street.

The court heard that police investigations into the death were ongoing. No date has yet been set for the opening of an inquest on Mr Barrett.

Residents living in All Saints spoke of their shock at the death.

One resident in Banstead Close, who asked not to be named, said: "This is a quiet street. I know what people think about All Saints but this is a good street and everyone's really shocked."

Witnesses can call Bilston Street CID on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.