TWO MEN have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man who died in a stabbing.

James “Jimmy” Fitzgerald died on the way to hospital after he was stabbed in Barn Cottage Lane in Haywards Heath before Christmas.

The 29-year-old’s family said in a statement: “As to be expected, we are devastated with the news that Jimmy has been killed. Jimmy was full of life and well-loved by the community.

"This is terrible news. We would like to thank the police and the people that tried to save Jimmy before the medical staff got to him. May Jimbo rest in peace.”

Earlier this week Craig Ghochani, 28, and James Creaghan, 28, appeared in the dock together at Lewes Crown Court for their plea and trial preparation hearing.

They wore grey jumpers and grey jogging bottoms for the hearing, speaking to confirm their names, and to deny the charges of murder and of possessing a knife in public.

Creaghan, of Gowers Close, in Haywards Heath, put his thumbs up to acknowledge friends or family members in the public gallery. He stood with his hands clasped during the thirty-minute hearing. He was represented by barrister Ben Hargreaves.

Ghochani, of Barn Cottage Lane, also in Haywards Heath, stood with his arms folded in the dock. He was represented by barrister Lewis Power.

Judge Christine Laing QC agreed to set a trial date on June 17 this year. Ahmed Hussain, prosecuting, said the trial could last for ten days.