Fatal stab victim Keith Green’s former partner has appeared before a judge in connection with the Banbury man’s alleged murder on the eve of Valentine’s Day.
Prosecutors say that Mr Green was stabbed a number of times – including through the heart in the house he shared with Louise Grieve, 37, on the night of February 13.
He was found unresponsive near his garden shed and, despite the efforts of paramedics, was pronounced dead at 11.49pm – 11 minutes short of Valentine’s Day.
Grieve, of Howard Road, Banbury; alleged knifemen Mark Meadows, 24, of Rees Court, Bnabury and Travis Gorton, 19, of Well Bank, Hook Norton, Grieve’s son Callum Johnson, 20, of Howard Road, Banbury, and a teenage girl who cannot be named as she is under-18 appeared in Oxford Crown Court on Friday morning charged with murder.
Meadows and Gorton also face an allegation of possession of a bladed article, a large ‘hunting knife’ style weapon.
The four adult defendants all appeared in courtroom one at the St Aldates courthouse in person, while the youth appeared in court via video link.
The men wore grey tracksuits, long-haired Meadows had a rosary around his neck and Grieve was dressed in a burgundy jumper and black glasses. All spoke only to confirm their names.
Judge Ian Pringle QC did not take pleas from any of the defendants, but fixed the trial date in the absence of pleas. The case is expected to last four to five weeks and will begin on September 12.
Remanding all the defendants into custody, he told them: "Mark Meadows, Travis Gorton, Louise Grieve, Callum Johnson, [youth], I'm going to adjourn your case initially until June 24 when you will all appear back in court when there will be arraignment - you will enter your pleas to this indictment.
“Your trial will take place at this court on September 12.
“In the meantime, you will all remain in custody.
“Thank you."
Matthew Walsh represented the Crown Prosecution Service. James Hay appeared for Meadows, John Simmons for Gorton, Matthew Rowcliffe for Grieve, Gareth James for Johnson and Tetevi Davi for the youth.
Members of the defendants’ families and supporters sat in the public gallery for the 46 minute hearing.
Following Mr Green’s death last month, well-wishers took to social media to pay tribute to the Banbury dad.
Emily Hazlewood said: “Such a lovely man with a heart of gold.”
Sarah North added: “Tragic, thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved. Rest in peace.”
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