THREE Northwich men accused of attacking a grandad who later died in hospital have denied murder.

Paul Blower, 19, Nigel Goolding, 20, and Joshua Spruce, 19 were initially charged with wounding after allegedly attacking 59-year-old Jim Straiton in the street in the early hours of Saturday, July 26.

But was indictment will be amended and the trio all pleaded not guilty to murder at Chester Crown Court this morning, Tuesday.

Taxi driver Mr Straiton, known locally as “Jock”, died in hospital on Saturday, August 9, two weeks after being assaulted in the street outside his ground floor flat at Sandybank, Park Road, Winnington.

Blower, of Chapel Street, Wincham; Goolding, of Cromwell Road, Winnington and Spruce of Alderley Road, Winnington will be tried at Chester next year.

The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, will begin on February 24. No application for bail was made at today’s hearing, and the defendants were remanded in custody.