Man denies murder of council worker hit by car

A man has denied the murder of a 28-year-old council worker who was fatally struck by a car.

Michael Ashton was seriously injured in Rosecroft Road, Langdon Hills, Essex, on 26 September and died in hospital eight days later.

He worked for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council and has been described in a family statement as having "the most beautiful aura".

Hayadulla Turkmani, 52, of Langdale Gardens in Hornchurch, east London, denied murder at Southend Crown Court on Monday, and is due to stand trial on 20 April.

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