The trial date has been set as the defendant appears in the dock at the crown court charged with murder

A trial date has been set for a Northwich man accused of murder.

Matthew Higgins, of Brook Lane, Rudheath, appeared at Chester Crown Court this morning – his second appearance in the dock since he was accused of unlawfully killing 37-year-old David Eaton.

The 35-year-old was formally charged with murder on Monday evening after Mr Eaton, from Northwich, was found dead in Brook Lane at around 3.35pm on Saturday, September 28.

No objection was entered at today's hearing before Judge Michael Leeming, but a date was set for March 24 next year for the trial, which is expected to last ten days.

Higgins' appearance at the Crown Court followed an initial hearing at Chester Magistrates Court yesterday, Tuesday, where it was revealed Mr Eaton had suffered stab wounds to the chest.

While sitting in the dock at the Magistrates Court, Higgins could be seen, dressed in a gray jumper and jogging trousers, telling his family in attendance that he loved them.

A 41-year-old woman who was arrested at the same time as Higgins on suspicion of murder has since been released on bail.