Man denies stabbing rugby player to death outside Cornwall nightclub

Jake Hill, 24, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Michael Allen outside Eclipse

Jake Hill, right, in the dock at Truro Magistrates’ Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA) (PA Wire)

A man has denied stabbing a rugby player to death outside a nightclub in Cornwall.

Jake Hill, 24, is accused of murdering Michael Allen, 32, near Eclipse in Victoria Square, Bodmin.

He is also charged with three counts of attempted murder and two of causing grievous bodily harm with intent against five other people.

Hill, of Jubilee Terrace, Bodmin, appeared before Truro Crown Court on Tuesday morning and spoke only to confirm his name and deny the charges.

Judge Simon Carr set a trial date for November 6 and remanded Hill in custody.

Emergency services were called to reports of a person with a knife and multiple people with suspected stab wounds near Eclipse at about 3.15am on April 30.

Mr Allen, who played for Bodmin Rugby Club, died at the scene while seven other people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Mr Allen’s family described him as “a much-loved son, brother, grandson and uncle, who loved his dogs”.

Anyone with information is asked to report it to Devon and Cornwall Police under Operation Limbas on its Major Incident Public Reporting site.