Man Appears In Court Charged With Brighton Murder
A man has appeared in court charged with a murder in Brighton.
The victim, Andrew O’Connell, from Kent, was seriously assaulted at Royal Pavilion Gardens in Brighton at 11.55pm on Tuesday 7 August.
The 52 year old was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital, and later died from his injuries.
Andrew's family have paid tribute to him.
“Andrew O’Connell was a family man who was loved by many. He was a kind, intelligent man with a free spirit who loved to travel. As a family we are utterly devastated, hurt and angry that he has been taken so cruelly from us. We ask that our privacy is respected at this time.”
They clarified that while he was rough sleeping when he was attacked, he was not homeless.
Tributes have been paid to a man who has sadly died following an assault at Royal Pavilion Gardens, #Brighton. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.
A man has been remanded in custody charged with his murder.
More here:https://t.co/ICPkJel4K4 pic.twitter.com/MpWaceYh2R
— Sussex Police (@sussex_police) August 10, 201832 year old Sergio Lemori, who was unemployed and of no fixed address, was arrested in nearby Church Street shortly before 9pm on Wednesday 8 August.
He appeared before Lewes Crown Court today (14 August), where he pleaded not guilty to murder.
He remains in custody ahead of a pre-trial hearing on 29 October.
A trial date has been set for 21 January 2019.
Police say they are not seeking anyone else in connection with what happened at this stage.
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