Murder accused Mohammed Rahman has pleaded not guilty to stabbing a man to death.

Alan Stokoe was allegedly killed in County Durham in last month.

It is claimed the 26-year-old suffered fatal injuries after being stabbed in Melville Street, Chester-le-Street, at around 2am on Sunday July 21.

Emergency attended the scene where Mr Stokoe, of Chester-le-Street, was pronounced dead.

Tributes have been paid to Alan Stokoe who died after being stabbed in Chester-le-Street.
Tributes have been paid to Alan Stokoe who died after allegedly being stabbed in Chester-le-Street.

Rahman, 42, was taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary with serious but non life-threatening injuries and was later charged with murdering Mr Stokoe.

The accused appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via a video-link from prison.

Rahman, of Eamont Gardens, Hartlepool, will stand trial in January next year in a case expected to last at least five days and will be back in court for a further pre-trial hearing in October.

Judge Paul Sloan QC told him: "I'm going to adjourn your case now to a further pre-trial hearing on October 18.

"You will be linked in on that date as you have been today.

"You will be required to provide a defence case statement setting out in detail your defence to this charge. That document must be sufficiently detailed, if it is not an inference could be drawn against you at trial.

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"You should understand, if you have committed any offence arising out of this allegation, the sooner that's communicated to the court, the better for you, the longer you leave it, the worse it will be for you.

"You will be remanded in custody pending that hearing in October."