Raise the Colours member denies murder of man in Staffordshire

Billy Allison, 36, pleads not guilty to charge over Matthew O’Gara’s death after incident outside Lichfield bar

A man accused of murdering a businessman outside a bar in Staffordshire has pleaded not guilty.

Billy Allison, 36, a member of the flag-raising group Raise the Colours, appeared at Stafford crown court on Tuesday and entered not guilty pleas to the murder of Matthew O’Gara and to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second person.

Allison, of Shirley in Solihull, West Midlands, appeared via video link from HMP Dovegate.

Officers were called to the Ricco & Loren bar on Market Street in Lichfield at 11.25pm on 24 May after receiving reports two men had been punched, Staffordshire police previously said in a statement.

O’Gara, who was the director of the Plough pub in the nearby village of Huddlesford, sustained serious injuries and died in hospital two days later. The second man also attended hospital and was later discharged.

Judge Mukherjee told Allison on Tuesday that he would stand trial in October and it would probably last for about 10 days. “I have adjourned your case for trial to the 28th of October,” he said.

Lichfield rugby club paid tribute to O’Gara after his death, describing him as “a friend of the club and a very generous and valued sponsor”.

Its post said: “From everyone at the club we would like to offer our deepest condolences to all of Matt’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider Plough family.”

The Plough pub closed its doors in the immediate aftermath to give family and staff “the time, privacy and respect they need”, according to the post on Facebook.