A MAN has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 56-year-old man who died in an alleyway in Bournemouth.

Damien Johnson entered his plea in connection with the death of Michael Bastable during a hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, May 20.

The ambulance service reported Mr Bastable was found unresponsive in an alleyway at the end of Shelbourne Road on January 14.

Dorset Police said Mr Bastable, who was also known as Shaun and from Bournemouth, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination found he died as a result of internal injuries.

Damien Johnson, 31 and of Christchurch Road, is one of three Bournemouth men charged with his murder and, as well as denying his part in the death of Mr Bastable, he denied a charge of robbery against him as well as another count of robbery.

He pleaded guilty to a further charge of robbery and a count of breaching an injunction.

Co-defendants Hayden Johnson, 29 and of Christchurch Road, who did not attend court, and Dominic Christopher MacDonald, 30 and of St John's Road, have not entered pleas.

Judge Jane Miller QC adjourned the case for trial which is listed to start on July 4 and remanded the three defendants into custody.

A further plea hearing was set to be held on June 10.

She told the defendants: “This trial is going to happen whether or not you co-operate, it’s much better if you do.”