James Diggle has pleaded not guilty to charges relating to a car crash that killed his brother and three other men in Huyton, Merseyside.
Jack Diggle, 23, Ben Dooley, 23, Andrew Roberts, 24, and Craig Shackleton-Brady, 26, died when the car they were travelling in crashed into a lamppost near the junction of East Prescot Road and Liverpool Road on July 24.
Court appearance
James Diggle, 27, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court wearing a blue Nike T-shirt and spoke only to confirm his name before entering his plea. He pleaded not guilty to three counts of aiding and abetting Mr Dooley to cause the deaths of the three other men.
His trial is scheduled to begin on February 22 next year, with proceedings expected to last five to seven days, according to the Liverpool ECHO.
Remanded in custody
Diggle was remanded into custody until the trial. Judge Dennis Watson KC adjourned the case, telling Diggle the case would be listed for trial the week of February 22, starting that Monday, and that he was remanded into custody.
Diggle replied: "OK sir." About 20 family members watched from the public gallery during the short hearing.
Crash details
Diggle, of West Derby, Liverpool, survived the crash that killed his brother and was charged after being released from hospital where he was treated for injuries.
Senior coroner Anita Bhardwaj previously adjourned the inquests for the four men pending the outcome of criminal proceedings. The inquest opening heard the four men died of multiple injuries in the single-vehicle collision, which happened at 1.54am on the eastbound carriageway.
Coroner Bhardwaj told the court the men were identified by their dental records and clothing they were seen wearing on CCTV footage earlier that evening. The car involved was a Seat Cupra Formentor.
