TWO men will stand trial accused of murder in a quiet residential street.

Giuseepe Petriccione and Francesco D’Agostino face charges over the death of Serxhio Marku in Stafford Road, Brighton.

Police were called to the road in the Prestonville area on September 11 last year.

Mr Marku, a 21-year-old Albanian, had suffered critical injuries and died en route to the Royal Sussex County Hospital the same day.

A wide police cordon was set up in Stafford Road and in neighbouring streets including Exeter Street as forensics officers moved in.

Officers went door to door to speak with neighbours as Operation Barnfield, a murder inquiry, was launched.

Residents were left shocked by the incident. One said: “We have been a bit freaked out by this, it is shocking.

“This is a friendly and quiet neighbourhood, we don’t have much in the way of trouble or police incidents.

“Hearing the news of the murder makes it even more shocking.”

Another said: “This has been a shock because it is a quiet area.

“Police have been knocking on doors.

“I heard the helicopter at 2.30am and looked out of my window to see what was going on.

“They were knocking on everyone’s door.”

Chefs Francesco D’Agostino, 45, of Stafford Road, Brighton and fellow Italian kitchen worker Giuseppe Petriccione, 46, from Arienzo, Naples, first appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court in September last year.

Their trial had stared in March but the proceedings were abandoned as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

It was feared that jury members, court staff, lawyers, police and people in the public gallery would not be able to safely social distance at Lewes Crown Court.

The hearing had gone approximately two weeks into an estimated four-week trial.

Now it is set to re-start today at Brighton Crown Court before The Recorder of Brighton and Hove, Her Honour Judge Christine Laing QC.

Both men deny killing Mr Marku, and a new jury is expected to be sworn in to hear evidence today.