Four plead not guilty to charges related to man's death

Four people have pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the death of a 22-year-old man.

Liam Woolford, from Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, died after an incident on Poets Close, Rhydyfelin, RCT, in the early hours of 23 September.

Five people have since been charged in relation to Mr Woolford's death, and three defendants appeared together at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday.

Ethan Ross, 23, Abeyshake Karunanithy, 22, and Zoe Peters, 36, all denied charges of attempted murder, unlawful wounding with intent, and violent disorder.

The court heard that the charges of attempted murder and unlawful wounding with intent were in relation to Jake Staples, another defendant in the case.

Mr Staples, 24, later appeared separately in the courtroom.

He denied a charge of murder relating to Mr Woolford, attempted murder and unlawful wounding with intent in relation to Mr Ross, and two counts of unlawful wounding with intent in relation to Mr Karunanithy.

Mr Staples also denied a charge of violent disorder, but pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.

Mr Ross and Mr Karunanithy also denied separate charges of possession of a bladed article.

All four defendants have been remanded in custody, and a trial date has been set for 16 March.

A fifth defendant in the case, Jesse Wandera, 30, was previously charged with conspiracy to wound another, but did not appear in court and is subject to assessments on fitness to plead.