Two men charged with the murder of a man in an incident at Withernsea’s Pier Hotel have denied killing him.
Humberside Police were called at about 11.30pm on Friday, March 11, after reports of an altercation at the pub in Seaside Road, and the victim, Darren Bower, of Withernsea, died at the scene.
Darren Moverley, 44, and Dean Kilkenny, 46, were arrested on suspicion of murder and grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident. Both were later charged with murder and were remanded in custody.
Appearing before Hull Crown Court on March 16, both Moverley and Kilkenny – who, the court heard, are brothers – denied murdering Mr Bower.
Bail applications are likely to be made next week. The case was adjourned and there will be a further administrative hearing on July 4, with a trial expected to take place in August.
There were numerous tributes to Darren on social media after the incident, and the Pier Hotel also released a statement in which they said they were “distraught” at the loss of a “a son, partner, brother, dad, grandad, uncle, cousin and friend”.
They said that reopening the pub was difficult, “But it’s what he would have wanted. No one will ever understand how hard it was to walk through the doors like we did. No one but the people that witnessed this act will understand the pain of looking at the pub, never mind walking in.
“There was no right time. And for us, if we didn’t do it when we did, we never would have.”
Ahead of the hearing, Humberside Police said Darren Bower’s family were being supported by specially trained officers.
A spokesman added: “It is believed that lots of people were in the area when the incident took place and anyone with information who has not already spoken to us is asked to call our non-emergency 101 line quoting log 594 of 11 March.“
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.”
