Defendant denies murdering Staffordshire businessman outside city centre bar
The accused also pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second person
A man accused of murdering a Staffordshire businessman outside a bar will stand trial in October after pleading not guilty to two charges.
Billy Allison, 36, entered not guilty pleas to the murder of Matthew O’Gara and to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second alleged victim during a 20-minute appearance at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday (September 1).
Allison, of Cropthorne Road in Shirley, Solihull, appeared via a video link to HMP Dovegate, near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, wearing a round-necked grey Nike sweater.
Mr O’Gara, the director of The Plough pub in the village of Huddlesford, died on May 26 after being taken to hospital following an alleged assault outside Ricco and Loren in Lichfield city centre on May 24.
Following legal submissions from prosecutor Tim Hannam KC and defence counsel Gurdeep Garcha KC, Judge Avik Mukherjee told Allison his trial is likely to last for around 10 days.
The judge told Allison: “I have adjourned your case for trial to the 28th of October.
“You will be produced at court for that hearing. Please make sure that you attend. You will be remanded in custody until the 28th of October.”