Man in court charged with murder of father near pub

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a father who died following an assault outside a village pub.

David Darke, 66, suffered a serious head injury in an assault outside The Crown Inn, in Church Street, Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, 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.

Nathan Gothard, 36, of Church Street, Appleby Magna, appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday and was remanded into custody.

In a statement following Mr Darke's death, his family said he will 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."

Mr Gothard is due to appear at Leicester Crown Court to enter a plea on 26 January 2026, with a trial set to start on 27 April.

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