FOUR people appeared in court yesterday in connection with the alleged murder of father-of-four Michael Brolly in York's city centre.

Carl Wesley Mason, 21, of Plumer Avenue, York; Leanne Beard, 18, of Bull Lane, York; Matthew John Carney, 29, of Avenue Terrace, Clifton; and Jason Rodney Hodgson, 32, of Spindle Close, Acomb, were all jointly charged with murder and affray.

Mr Mason was remanded in custody, while the others were released on bail. All four will appear at York Crown Court on Friday.

Mr Brolly, of Margaret Street, York, died in York District Hospital after an incident in September. A post-mortem failed to establish a cause of death, but witnesses told police Mr Brolly had been set upon after a chase through the city's Micklegate.