A 21-YEAR-OLD man has denied manslaughter following the death of a father-ofone earlier this year.

Liam Keith Hall, of Dene Terrace, Chilton, County Durham, appeared in custody at Teesside Crown Court, yesterday Mr Hall is alleged to have assaulted Neil Paul Jones, 28, on April 30, at a house in West Chilton Terrace, Chilton.

Mr Jones was taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12.45am the next day.

Mr Jones is originally from the Chilton area and had returned to the region after a period in Bedfordshire, following the breakdown of a relationship.

Mr Hall will stand trial on December 7. He was remanded in custody.