A MALE has denied the murder of a 47-year-old man in Ellesmere Port.

Arkadiusz Kacmarek, 22, who has no permanent address, appeared before Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett on Friday, July 31.

The Polish national, who listened to proceedings with the help of an interpreter, denied the charges of murder and possession of a knife.

Kacmarek was charged following the death of 47-year-old Slawomir Kulesza, whose body was found at a house in Blakemere Court, Ellesmere Port, on May 2.

A trial date was set for Kacmarek's case to be heard the week commencing October 19.

The court heard the trial is scheduled to last between five and seven days, but may be extended to 10 given that Kacmarek will require an interpreter to follow court proceedings.

Kacmarek, who appeared in the dock at court from the cells, was remanded in custody.

The murder trial is one of three Cheshire murder cases scheduled for Chester Crown Court this autumn.

The two-week trial of Matthew Mason, 19, of Ash Lane, Ollerton, accused of the murder of 15-year-old Holmes Chapel Comprehensive student Alex Rodda, was due to take place in April but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is now listed to be held before Kacmarek's trial this autumn.

The other murder trial scheduled is for Northwich man Gay Solomon, 55, of Castle Court, accused of murdering 72-year-old John Hammerton, and is expected to last a week.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic restrictions, Chester Crown Court only has capacity for one jury trial at a time, compared to its usual maximum of four.