A MAN who denies the murder of another man by hitting him with a pickaxe handle at a farm in Ongar faces a two-week trial in April next year.
Paul Groves appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, December 18, where the trial was scheduled to begin on April 29.
Groves, 33, of Queensway, Ongar, a factory worker who also denies wounding another man with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, was remanded in custody.
He pleaded not guilty to murdering William Martindale, 39, of Cripsey Avenue, Ongar, and wounding Paul Meeking, both on September 7.
Mr Martindale, of Cripsey Avenue, Ongar, died from blunt trauma to the head despite paramedics' battle to save him. The father of three was found at a farm off Mill Lane, in High Ongar, on September 7.
Mr Meeking, in his 50s, from Barking, was found at the same farm with head and chest injuries and was subsequently taken to hospital.
