Two men charged with the murder of a promising chef have pleaded not guilty at the Inner London Crown Court.

Darren Robinson, 24, of Lincoln Road, Basildon, and Dennis Twilley, 26, of Spire Road, Laindon, face a two week trial due to start on October 13.

Patrick Pinnock, 26, of Tottenham, who went under the name of Omar Locke, bled to death after being knifed three times in the buttocks on January 19 this year.

His body was found slumped in Whitmore Way, Basildon, after a stabbing incident in nearby Cranes Court.

It is believed he had been attacked inside a flat.

Det Insp David Sharpe of Basildon police, who led the investigation, flew to Jamaica to establish the identity of the victim who had been using a passport in the name of a friend.

Mr Pinnock came to England to study catering and had obtained the passport himself.

Both Robinson and Twilley were remanded in custody until their trial.

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