Man denies murder charge over hit-and-run death

Ryan Griffiths died in hospital after being hit by a car on 21 August

A man has been remanded in custody after denying the murder of a man in a hit-and-run crash in Wolverhampton.

Aden Wright, 26, pleaded not guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court to the murder of 29-year-old Ryan Griffiths.

Mr Griffiths died on 21 August before 21:00 BST, after being struck by a driver who left the scene in Burleigh Road, said West Midlands Police.

Mr Wright, of Griffiths Drive in Wolverhampton, is due to face trial at the same court on 17 February.

Mr Wright spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea during the short hearing on Tuesday.

The judge told the court the trial was expected to last two weeks.

In a statement released by police days after Mr Griffiths's death, his family paid tribute to him as a "loving and devoted son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew and cousin".

They added: "Everyone is devastated by his sad loss and he will be sadly missed."