A BASINGSTOKE man who has been charged with murder is in court today to stand trial, as charges against another defendant have been dropped.

Wearing a blue jumper and blue tie, Liam Darvill, 20, of Beaconsfield Road, in Fairfields, Basingstoke, spoke only to confirm his name at Winchester Crown Court this morning, after pleading not guilty to the murder of 31-year-old Dean Evans.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed to The Gazette that Thomas David Harris, 22, of Eastrop Way, Basingstoke, has had all charges against him dropped on September 9. 

Mr Evans, from Kempshott, was found lying in Benham Road, in Popley, at 5.30am on April 8 suffering from serious stab injuries.

He was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

The jury for the trial is currently being selected.

Updates will be published on The Gazette website and in the paper, on sale on Thursday.