A MAN accused of the murder of 31-year-old Steven Carey in Ellesmere Port has appeared at Chester Crown Court via videolink.

Ben Wilkinson, 25, of Waverton Road, Great Sutton, appeared before Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett on Tuesday, March 17, one day after appearing at Chester Magistrates Court.

He is accused of murder and threatening the victim with a knife in relation to an incident which took place on Pooltown Road, Ellesmere Port, on Saturday, March 14.

Wilkinson, appearing via videolink from HMP Altcourse, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and nationality, and was not asked to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges at this stage.

He is scheduled to appear at Chester Crown Court on April 20 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

A provisional trial date for the week beginning September 7 was scheduled in the event Wilkinson denies the charges, with such trial estimated to last between one and two weeks.

No application for bail was made at the bail determination hearing and Wilkinson was remanded in custody.

Police were called to Pooltown Road at 8.46pm on Saturday and found Mr Carey had sustained serious injuries.

He was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital but later died.

Two other men who were arrested in connection with the incident – aged 25 and 35 – have since been released without charge.