A MAN was beaten so badly in a dark alleyway he later died from his injuries, a court heard.

Three people appeared at Colchester Magistrates Court on Friday charged with conspiracy to murder Michael Beckwith.

Mr Beckwith, 44, who it is claimed had been threatened on Facebook just days earlier, was attacked in the alley way near Barrack Lane in Harwich.

Mr Beckwith, who worked at Connolly House nursing home in The Street, Weeley, was rushed to Colchester General Hospital following the attack on Sunday, July 31.

Colchester magistrates heard he was recovering in hospital and gave a statement to police, before he died from a pulmonary embolism on Tuesday.

The three defendants accused of conspiracy to murder appeared in court.

Scott Swift, 27, of Station Road, Dovercourt, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before nodding to the public gallery.

Rebecca Ryan, 21, of Hilltop Rise, Weeley, also appeared at the court along with a 17-year-old boy from Harwich, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

All are expected to deny the charge but no formal pleas were entered.

Mr Beckwith, who lived in Goodlake Close, Dovercourt, with his mother, Iris, worked with people with mental health illnesses.

Iris paid tribute to her son saying: “He enjoyed what he did and I believe he had found his vocation in making people’s lives better.”

Neighbours described Mr Beckwith as a quiet man who kept himself to himself.

Police officers went to the scene of his attack scouring the area for evidence.

Senior investigating officer Det Insp Al Pitcher has appealed for any witnesses to the incident to contact him on 101.

Swift and Ryan were remanded into custody. The youth was remanded to youth detention.

All will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on September 2.