A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a pub landlord from Cheshire.
Lee Abbott, 35, of Rose Street, Widnes, was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon when he appeared at Warrington magistrates' court on Tuesday.
The charges relate to the death of Christian Thornton, landlord of the Hammer and Pincers pub in Widnes on Sunday.
Police were called at 3.20pm to reports of a serious assault near the pub, on Liverpool Road.
Mr Thornton died at the scene from his injuries.
Abbott, 35, has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, August 15.
A 39-year-old woman, who was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
