Man denies murder charge over pub assault
Family handoutA man has denied murdering a father who died following an assault outside a village pub in Leicestershire.
David Darke, 66, suffered a serious head injury in a confrontation outside The Crown Inn, in Church Street, Appleby Magna, at about 21:45 GMT on 21 December.
He was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham where he died six days later.
On Tuesday, Nathan Gothard, 36, of Church Street, Appleby Magna, pleaded not guilty to murder when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court. A trial date was set for 27 April.
Gothard spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea and was remanded in custody.
In a statement following Darke's death, his family said he would be "sorely missed by all who knew and loved him".
"Dave was a deeply loved father to three daughters and a proud grandfather to three boys," they said.
"He will live on forever in our hearts, minds and souls."
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