Four deny murder of man in street

Shaun Fitton died from multiple organ failure

Three men and a woman have denied murdering a 26-year-old man who was found with serious head and stomach injuries in Greater Manchester.

Shaun Beatty, Rebecca Birt, Michael Gerrard and Owen Skeat also denied charges of sexual assault.

Shaun Fitton, from Wigan, was found on West Bank Street in Atherton on 31 August, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

A post-mortem examination found that Mr Fitton died from multiple organ failure caused by his injuries.

He had been taken to hospital but died a day later.

Mr Beatty, 19, and Ms Birt,22, both of West Bank Street, Mr Gerrard, aged 21, of Rivington Street, and Mr Skeat, 22, of Bowling Green Row, appeared at court via video link equipment.

Their trial is scheduled for the first week of March and is due to last four weeks.