A group of four have appeared in court charged with the murder of Keith Green.

The 40-year-old was said by prosecutors to have been stabbed to death in his own garden in Howard Road, Banbury, on February 13 – the eve of Valentine’s Day.

He died at the scene having suffered a number of stab wounds, including through the heart.

READ MORE: Banbury 'murder' case before Oxford judge

Four of the five accused of his murder appeared before Oxford Crown Court this afternoon.

None of the individuals were asked to enter pleas to the charges.

The individuals accused of murder are:

  • Mr Green’s former partner, Louise Grieve, 38, of Howard Road, Banbury. She was not present at court.
  • Her son, Callum Johnson, 20, of Howard Road, Banbury
  • Alleged knifemen Mark Meadows, 25, of Rees Court, Banbury, and Travis Gorton, 20, of Well Bank, Hook Norton. They also face charges of possession of a bladed article, a large ‘hunting knife’ style weapon.
  • A teenage girl, who cannot be named as she is under-18 and who sat in the well of the court rather than the dock for the duration of the 20 minute hearing.

Judge Ian Pringle QC adjourned the case until July 29, when the defendants are expected to return to court to enter their pleas.

The adult defendants were remanded in custody. The youth was granted bail.

The trial is expected to begin on September 12 and will last up to five weeks.

Vanessa Marshall QC appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service.

Grieve was represented in her absence by Adrian Amer.

Peter Doyle QC and Alistair Grainger appeared for the teenage girl. Gorton was represented by John Simmons. Justin Rouse QC and James Hay appeared for Meadows. Johnson was unrepresented.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward