Derbyshire man appears in court charged with murder of Skegness holidaymaker Gareth Hart

A 33-year-old man charged with murdering a man in a seaside resort has appeared at Lincoln Crown Court today.

Joseph Allan Malek, of Market Place, Belper in Derbyshire was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife.

He appeared at Lincoln Crown Court this morning via a video-link from Lincoln Prison.

Gareth Hart, aged 43, from Rotherham, died after being found injured near a takeaway in Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire, at about 1am last Thursday (6 April).

Wearing a grey t-shirt and grey jogging bottoms Malek spoke only to confirm his name. No pleas were entered to the charges and there was no bail application.

Malek was represented by Jasmine Leng and the Crown Prosecution Service were represented by Adam Pearson.

Judge Simon Hirst adjourned the case for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on 30 May.

The case was also listed for a provisional trial at Lincoln Crown Court on 9 October and it is estimated to last two weeks.

Judge Hirst remanded Malek into custody until his next court appearance and told him: "You will next be before the court on 30 May when you will be expected to enter a plea.

"Your trial, if there is to be one, is provisionally listed for 9 October.

"In the meantime you are remanded into custody."

Police are continuing to appeal to anyone with information or with dashcam footage in the Roman Bank area between 9pm on 5 April and 3am on 6 April to get in touch.