Nehemiah Myrie, 24, suffered the stab injury outside Terrence Smith's home at the corner of Grove Road, Alcombe Road and Kettering Road at about 9.45pm on Friday, December 7.

Wearing a burgundy sweatshirt and jeans, Smith appeared from custody at Northampton Crown Court accused of Mr Myrie's murder, speaking only to confirm his name.

The 27-year-old, of Grove Road, has been charged with inflicting the stab wound which killed Mr Myrie, of Woodpecker Way, East Hunsbury, who died at Northampton General Hospital having been driven there in his own car after being beaten and stabbed.

Simon Phillips, prosecuting, told a packed court: "The defendant faces one count of murder.

"The incident took place on December 7 this year when Nehemiah Myrie was found injured with a stab wound to the neck in the Alcombe Road area of Northampton."

Mr Myrie's relatives again filled the court's public gallery for the short 10-minute preliminary hearing before Judge Charles Wide QC.

His death prompted religious leaders to organise a public meeting to discuss knife culture. After the fatal stabbing, pastors from Northampton's black population, as well as representatives from other churches, joined forces to host a discussion and prayer session.

Another man, a 39-year-old from Northampton, who was arrested along with Smith was later released without charge.

No application for bail was made by John Farmer, defending, and Smith was further remanded in custody until a plea and case management hearing in March.