Four face trial for murder and sexual assault

Three men and a woman will stand trial today accused of the murder and sexual assault of a young man.

Shaun Fitton, 26, was found lying naked in the street in Wigan, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of September 1 last year.

He was taken to hospital where he died of multiple organ failure caused by head and stomach injuries, a post-mortem examination found.

Shaun Beatty, 19; Rebecca Birt, 22, Michael Gerrard, 21, and Owen Skeat, 22, all from Atherton, Wigan, are each charged with murder and sexual assault.

They will appear for trial before Mr Justice Henriques at Liverpool Crown Court later today.