Seven to stand trial over fatal alleyway stabbing

Thapelo Jali, 21, died after he was found in an alleyway with serious injuries in July

Seven men will face trial in January after a man was stabbed to death in Stoke-on-Trent.

Thapelo Jali, 21, was found in an alleyway on Buccleuch Road, Normacot, at about 12:50 BST on 22 July and died at the scene.

Seven men were charged with murder as well as possession of a knife in a public place.

Six of the men pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, while one did not enter a plea. None of the men entered a plea to the other charge.

All seven men are due to appear at Stafford Crown Court on 20 January.

The following pleaded not guilty to murder:

• Ezaan Hussain, aged 21, of Chaplin Road

• Tayyab Hussain, aged 26, of Chaplin Road

• Tuheed Hussain, aged 23, of Chaplin Road

• Zubair Hussain, aged 45, of Chaplin Road

• Hakim Mohammed, aged 22, of Buccleuch Road

• Israar Tariq, aged 27, of Chaplin Road

Lukman Khan, aged 23, of Hamilton Road, did not enter a plea.