A SECOND man suspected of the murder of a man who suffered fatal head injuries during an attack is to go on trial this summer.

Christopher Hills, who is accused of killing 36-year-old Michael Price, entered a ‘not guilty’ plea at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday.

Mr Price suffered was badly beaten during an incident in Victor Street, Chester-le-Street, on January 13.

He received medical treatment but died in hospital 11 days later.

Hills, 30, of Gregory Terrace, Houghton-le Spring, has to been listed to appear alongside Paul Ronald Watson, also 30, of The Crescent, Chester-le-Street, who denied murder at a previous hearing.

Both men are due to go on trial in Newcastle Crown Court on July 16 and have been remanded into custody until then.