Four men have appeared before a crown court judge in connection with the alleged murder of electrician Alex Innes in Jericho.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Friday (February 24), three of the four men entered not guilty pleas to charges of murder, manslaughter and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

They were Bradley Morton, 18, of Cumberlege Close, Marston; Michael Oluyitan, 19, of Waynflete Road, Barton; and Greg Muinami, 19, of Cranham Street, Jericho.

The fourth man, Keyarno Allen, 18, of Furlong Close, Blackbird Leys, entered no plea to the charges.

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Their alleged victim, Mr Innes, 25, was stabbed to death in Walton Street in the early hours of Sunday, November 13.

In tributes shared in the wake of the tragedy, his family described him as a ‘charming and confident’ man who would be remembered for his smile and ‘dry wit’.

The defendants’ trial is expected to last six weeks, beginning on May 15. They will return to Oxford Crown Court on May 5 for a pre-trial review.

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After making a number of legal directions ahead of the trial, Judge Ian Pringle KC told the four men in the dock: “In the meantime you will all remain in custody.”

The four defendants appeared in the dock at courtroom one on Friday wearing either tracksuit tops, fleece jumpers or crew-necked t-shirts, and spoke only to confirm their identity and their pleas.

The men were flanked by four members of dock security staff.

Oxford Mail: Alex Innes Picture: Thames Valley PoliceAlex Innes Picture: Thames Valley Police (Image: Provided by Thames Valley Police)

Almost 20 family members of friends packed the public gallery in Oxford’s largest courtroom.

Jonathan Higgs KC appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service during the short plea hearing.

For the defendants, David Hislop KC represented Muinami, Christopher Donnellan KC was for Morton, Gordana Austin for Oluyitan and Alistair Grainger for Allen.

Sitting in a separate part of the courtroom - behind the press benches – were a number of detectives from Thames Valley Police’s major crime team.

In a tribute released through the police last year, Mr Innes' family said the Kidlington man would leave a 'huge hole in all our hearts forever'.

"For those who did not have the pleasure of knowing Alex, he was a caring and affectionate person who always maintained his famous confident and fiercely loyal character," they said.

"To many, Alex was a problem solver, an individual who went out of his way to help others in any way possible."

"We are all truly devastated to lose our son, brother, grandchild, cousin, nephew, friend and colleague."

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