Two men deny murder after stabbing at car park

Two men are due to face trial accused of murdering another man in Essex nearly six years ago.

Police said Stephen Morrisson was stabbed at the Wake Valley pond car park in Epping Forest near Loughton, off Epping New Road, shortly before 20:00 BST on 23 June 2020.

The 30-year-old managed to drive away and get out of his car at a nearby petrol station but collapsed on the forecourt and died in hospital.

Yonas Girma, 29, of Hounslow Road, Hanworth, west London, and Ellis Heather, 25, previously of Farm Close in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey. A trial has been set for 18 May.

At the hearing on 13 February, the pair were remanded in custody and told they would stand trial at the same court.

Speaking a year after Morrisson's death, his mother, Lorraine, said he "always saw the brighter side of life", adding: "It's a very, very big loss for us and we just miss him so much."

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