Six men deny Black Country murder of 'gentle giant' Reece Cox
Six men charged with killing a 24-year-old man near a Black Country pub have pleaded not guilty to his murder.
Reece Cox died after he was attacked outside The Clifton pub, in Bull Ring, Sedgley, just before midnight on August 15, where he was found with fatal head injuries.
Wayne Burke, 22, of Queens Street, Pensnett; Shaquel Halliday, 22, of Shadwell Drive, Lower Gornal; Shane Jones, 25, of Orchard Grove, Lower Gornal; Adam Ashwin, 19, of Monument Lane, Sedgley; Ryan Nicklin, 22, of Limes Avenue, Pensnett; and Sebastian Jones, 18, of Corser Street, Dudley; appeared in the dock at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday morning where they denied his murder.
All six also denied a further two charges of causing actual bodily harm to Grant Danbury and violent disorder, along with a seventh man, Tyrone Halliday, 24, of Inglefield Road, Stetchford, Birmingham, who also appeared in the dock.
The six defendants charged with murder were remanded into custody ahead of a trial, which has been set for April 12. Tyrone Halliday was allowed out on bail.
The killing of Mr Cox, a Wolves fan, caused shock and upset in Sedgley and the wider community.
Dozens of tributes, including flowers and Wolves clothing, were left on the railings outside The Clifton Wetherspoons in the wake of his death.
Mr Cox, who lived locally and had a young son, was described as a "gentle giant" in a statement issued by his heartbroken family.
The tribute said: "Reece was a great son, partner and dad; a gentle giant who was loved by everybody."
A fundraising page set up for his family reached more than £10,000 last month, while a charity walk planned in memory of Mr Cox was postponed this month due to coronavirus.
It will now take place at a later date.
