A Norwich man has denied murder after a man died following an assault outside a pub.
Tyrone Busch, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder after Michael O'Dwyer - also known as Michael Spooner - died in hospital 24 hours after the incident outside the Red Lion in Dereham.
Mr O'Dwyer, who was in his 30s, was able to return to his home in the town after the altercation, on July 20.
However, paramedics were called to the address in the early hours of the following day after his condition deteriorated.
He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he died hours later.
On July 23, police were notified of his death and launched an investigation, which led them to learn about the Red Lion incident.
Busch, of Hall Road, Norwich, was arrested on suspicion of murder while at another pub seven miles away on July 24.He appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday when he pleaded not guilty to murder.
A trial, expected to last two weeks, will take place on January 20 next year.
A post-mortem examination has revealed the provisional cause of Mr O'Dwyer's death was a traumatic head injury.
Following Mr O'Dwyer's death, his family released a statement which said: "Michael was a kind and gentle soul who always saw the best in people and wanted the best for them.
"He is greatly loved by his family and his many, many friends and that love will always remain. "Michael adored his two sons and has been taken from them far too soon.”
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