Trial for two accused of policeman’s death

A trial date has been set for two men accused of murdering an off-duty police constable.

PC Neil Doyle, 36, died following an attack in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of December 19 during a night out with colleagues.

Christopher Spendlove, 30, of Brandearth Hey, Stockbridge Village, and Andrew Taylor, 28, of Cherry Tree Road, Huyton, are accused of his murder and will go on trial at Liverpool Crown Court on June 22.

The trial is estimated to last between three and four weeks.

PC Doyle married in July and was due to go on his honeymoon this month.

The constable and two other off-duty officers, Michael Steventon and Robert Marshall, were attacked around 3.15am.

His colleagues were treated in hospital for facial injuries.

Both defendants also face charges that they they caused grievous bodily harm with intent to those two officers.