Trial date set for Craig Glaze killing case

A fitness instructor accused of killing his best friend on New Year's Day in Wolverhampton will stand trial in July, a judge said today.

Martin Gannon has been charged with the manslaughter of former soldier Craig Glaze, who died after receiving a blow to the head.

He was bailed with strict conditions at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court last week and was not required to attend a preliminary hearing of the case at the city's crown court today.

Gannon, 24, who worked at Wolverhampton Swimming & Fitness Centre, lived two doors down from 25-year-old Mr Glaze in Cromwell Road, Bushbury.

His bail conditions include a ban on contacting 22-year-old Nicola Payne, sister of X Factor star Liam Payne.

The One Direction star and his family are friends with Gannon, who travelled to London to support 17-year-old Liam in at least two X Factor shows.

Today Liam, from Bushbury, wrote on social networking site Twitter that his "thoughts and prayers are with the two families involved".