Brandon Byrne, 22, pleads ‘not guilty’ at Nottingham Crown Court to murder of James Cook, 40, in Castlegate, Newark

A 22-year-old accused of murdering a man in Newark has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Brandon Byrne, 22, of Winston Court, Newark, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court today to attend a plea hearing.

He is charged with the killing of James Cook, 40, who was found unresponsive in Castlegate, Newark, on May 1 and pronounced dead at the scene after being fatally stabbed.

Mr Byrne was later arrested and charged with Mr Cook's murder.

He is also charged with the possession of an offensive weapon, a knife, in a public place.

Wearing grey prison-issue clothing, Mr Byrne confirmed his name and, when asked how he pleaded by court clerk Gabrielle Peters, he entered not guilty pleas to both charges on the grounds of self-defence.

Mr Byrne will now be remanded in custody until the trial start date, which has been set as November 17.