Man pleads not guilty to 'much loved' dad's murder

Christopher Dean was found dead at his home in Ynyshir on 26 June

A man has pleaded not guilty to murder after a "much loved" father-of-three was found dead.

An inquest found Christopher Dean, 36, died from a bleed on the brain at his home on Graig Road in Ynyshir, Rhondda Cynon Taf on 26 June.

Thomas Griffiths, from Ynyshir, denied the murder charge at Merthyr Crown Court on Monday.

The 34-year-old has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear in court on 24 November.

A post-mortem examination gave an initial cause of death as bleeding on the base of the brain, pending further investigation.

An inquest earlier this month heard that Mr Dean was found lying face down on the kitchen floor with blood around his head.

Speaking after his death, Mr Dean's family said he was a "devoted" father-of-three and "much loved" son, brother and partner.

They said Mr Dean was a "well-known" and "loved character" who brought "energy, humour, and warmth wherever he went".