FIVE people charged in connection with the death of carer Michael Beckwith have pleaded not guilty.

Mr Beckwith, 44, was attacked by masked men in Barrack Lane, Harwich, just before 10pm on Sunday, July 31.

He was beaten so badly with iron bars that he later died from his wounds in hospital.

Scott Swift, 27, of Station Road, Dovercourt, Rebecca Ryan, 21, of Hilltop Rise, Weeley, and a 17-year-old boy from Harwich appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, September 2 charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Triston Biddlecombe, 23, of East Street, Harwich, and Enderlein Biddlecombe, 19, also of East Street, appeared in court on the same day charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

After all five pleaded not guilty to their charges, the defendants will stand trial on Monday, January 30.