Mobility scooter death: Man denies Thomas O'Halloran murder

Thomas O'Halloran has been described as a much-loved member of the community

A man has appeared in court accused of the murder of an elderly busker who was stabbed while riding his mobility scooter.

At the Old Bailey, 44-year-old Lee Byer pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas O'Halloran, who was killed in Greenford, west London, on 16 August.

Mr O'Halloran, 87, was able to alert a member of the public, but he could not be saved.

He was stabbed in the neck, chest and abdomen, post-mortem tests found.

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Mr Byer, of no fixed address, was charged on 19 August with Mr O'Halloran's murder and illegal possession of a knife.

Byer stood in the dock as he pleaded not guilty to both charges. He faces a trial of up to three weeks from 2 May.

Mr O'Halloran, originally from County Clare, west Ireland, has been described as a much-loved member of the Greenford community.

He was known for raising funds for charity by playing his accordion and had been fundraising for Ukraine.

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