A man accused of murdering a landscape gardener on his own doorstep appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for the first time yesterday.

Wayne Smith, of Seymour Street, Birkenhead, is charged with the murder of Jon Britton last Tuesday evening, December 3.

43-year-old Mr Britton, of Paton Close, West Kirby, died from stab wounds after answering his door to a man who then attacked him.

Smith, 38, who appeared in court via a video link from Walton jail. He spoke only to confirm he could see and hear what was happening.

He was granted permission to wear dark prescription swimming goggles because he had lost his spectacles.

The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, further remanded him in custody and set a date for a preliminary hearing on December 23 where he will appear alongside a co-defendant Steven Hatton, 23, of Newlands Road, Bebington.

Hatton appeared before Wirral magistrates on Saturday charged with assisting an offender by providing a false alibi and attempting to pervert the course of justice through providing the false alibi, and by concealing clothing worn by the suspect.