Man pleads not guilty to city murder

John Connolly's body was found by police inside a house on Portland Street, Lincoln, on 18 June

A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a 69-year-old man in Lincoln.

John Connolly was found dead inside a house on Portland Street when police were called to the property on 18 June.

Owen Blades, 26, pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Connolly when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court earlier.

Mr Blades, of Tennyson Street, Gainsborough, also pleaded not guilty to four other charges. All of the alleged offences are said to have occurred on 13 June.

He denied burglary at an address in Lincoln; having an offensive weapon in Lincoln High Street; theft from a supermarket in High Street, and wounding a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Mr Blades was remanded in custody and will face a trial at Lincoln Crown Court on 2 January next year.

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