A MAN has appeared in court charged with murder.

Lloyd Deacon was arrested following the death of Gary Bassett, 51, who was attacked in an alley way behind Debenhams in Basildon on July 28.

Deacon, 27, of Parsons Field, Dedham, appeared via video link at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, August 3.

He spoke only to confirm his name.

Police and paramedics were called to a service area behind Primark and Debenhams with reports that a man had been seriously injured by being kicked in the head.

Gary, who was well-known among the homeless community in Basildon, was taken to hospital but died later.

A plea and trial preparation hearing has been arranged at the same court for October 9.

A trial date of January 3 has been set provisionally and the trial may take between five and seven days.

The preliminary hearing yesterday was overseen by Judge Charles Gratwicke, who said Deacon shall be remanded in custody.