A TRIAL date has been set for three Bournemouth men charged with the murder of a 56-year-old man who died in an alleyway.

The ambulance service reported that the man, named as Michael Bastable, was found unresponsive in an alleyway at the end of Shelbourne Road in Charminster on January 14.

Dorset Police said Mr Bastable, who is also known as Shaun and from Bournemouth, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination found he had died as a result of internal injuries.

Damien Sean Johnson, 30 and of Christchurch Road, Hayden Johnson, 28 and of Christchurch Road, and Dominic Christopher MacDonald, 30 and of St John's Road, all appeared at Winchester Crown Court charged with murder and robbery in connection with Mr Bastable’s death.

Judge Susan Evans QC set a trial date of July 4 with a plea and trial preparation hearing to be held on May 20.

Remanding the defendants into custody, the judge said: “I am going to adjourn your case for a further hearing on May 20.

“You will all be expected to be produced on that occasion. There will be a trial set down for July 4.

“If you do not attend your trial, if you refuse to leave your cell, your trial can take place in your absence.”