Two plead not guilty to murder of Downham man

Two men have denied murdering a Downham man whose body was found at a property in the town almost nine years ago.

Lester Aisthorpe, 58, of Basil Drive, Downham, and Steven Louro, 42, of South Lynn Plain, Lynn, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jan Hogan when they appeared before Norwich Crown Court this morning.

Mr Hogan, who was 59, was found dead in a flat on Basil Drive in the town in May 2010.

The defendants, who appeared in court via video link, also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The court was told it is alleged the pair moved Mr Hogan’s body and attempted to make the scene appear as though he had taken his own life.

Judge Stephen Holt requested that another hearing should take place before the case comes to trial in order to resolve to issues relating to witness statements.

A provisional trial date had already been set for April 29 at an earlier hearing.

The case is expected to last for up to three weeks.

However, an initial hearing has now been scheduled to take place on April 12.

Both men were remanded in custody until their next court appearance.