Man accused of murdering Reece Cox outside Sedgley pub is 'reliable' and 'hardworking'

A man accused of the murder of a young father outside a Sedgley pub is a "reliable" and "hardworking" person, a court was told.

Ryan Nicklin is one of six men accused of murdering Reece Cox, 24, outside The Clifton pub on Bull Ring, on August 15 last year.

Mr Cox died after attempting to break up a fight involving a group of men which led to him being attacked. All six defendants deny murder.

Mr Martin McCarthy, defending Nicklin who denies all charges, read out character witness statements to Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The first character witness, read out by Mr McCarthy, was from a woman who had known the defendant for more than three years, jurors were told.

Elaine Hatfield, in her statement, described Nicklin as "pleasant, reliable and hardworking" and had been "honest" and "straight-forward", a court heard.

The character witness had met the 22-year-old, a mechanic, and she had been "inspired" by his work ethic and his desire to work, jurors were told.

A second character witness said Nicklin had made him and his family feel "very welcome" to the area when they moved into a house nearby, a judge heard.

Robert Pardoe's statement, read out by Mr McCarthy, said the defendant had keys to the family home and wold look after their pets if they were away, jurors were told.

He said Nicklin was a "hardworking" and "very popular young man" who was "always willing to help anyone", Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

A third character witness read out to the court was from driving instructor Tracey Lew who described Nicklin as being "punctual" and someone who "never let me down".

The statement, read out by Mr McCarthy, said the defendant was "polite and respectable" although he "did make me laugh a few times" and was a "lovely, respectable, and hardworking young man", jurors were told.

A fourth character witness statement from Stephen Wragg complimented Nicklin on his skills as a mechanic and said the service was "exemplary" and the defendant was honest and trustworthy, a judge heard.

Adam Ashwin, 20, of Monument Lane, Sedgley, denies murder.

Wayne Burke, 23, of Queens Street, Pensnett; Shaquel Halliday, 22, of Shadwell Drive, Lower Gornal; Shane Jones, 26, of Orchard Grove, Lower Gornal; Ryan Nicklin, 22, of Limes Avenue, Pensnett; and Sebastian Jones, 19, of Corser Street, Dudley, deny murder, manslaughter, assault actioning actual bodily harm and violent disorder.