MAN, 26, IN COURT ON MURDER CHARGE (From Warrington Guardian)

MAN, 26, IN COURT ON MURDER CHARGE

A WINSFORD man has appeared in court charged with murdering a 27-year-old Middlewich man.

Gerard Robert Mckeown, 26, of Dene Drive, who was wearing a dark shirt and jeans, spoke only to confirm his name and address when he appeared at Crewe Magistrates' Court on Monday.

He is charged with murdering Gavin McAleer, of Longmoss Close, on September 1. Mr McAleer died from a stab wound following an incident in the car park of The Vaults, in Wheelock Street, Middlewich, on Thursday night.

Members of both families were present at the back of the court. Nicola Roberts, prosecuting, asked that the case be adjourned to Chester Crown Court under the Crime and Disorder Act and that bail be refused.

Brian Jackson, defending, made no application for bail and magistrates refused bail.

The case has now been adjourned for a preliminary hearing to be heard at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, September 13.

Gavin was found at The Vaults pub, Wheelock Street, at 11.30pm on Thursday night. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but failed and he was pronounced dead.

l Four other people were arrested in connection with the incident.

Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, a 17-year-old girl and a 36-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All were released without charge on Friday.

* Click here to leave your tributes to Gavin.