A man accused of murdering a dad-of-two is set to stand trial this summer.
Paul Stenson died after being stabbed in the chest during an incident in West Derby shortly before Christmas.
Police said the tree surgeon suffered the fatal wound in Princess Drive at around 6.30am on Sunday, December 19.
READ MORE: Jailed in Liverpool: Faces of 75 people locked up this month
The 30-year-old, from West Derby, who was known locally as 'Paul Mac', was taken to hospital, but died a short time later.
Adam Fletcher, 28, of Palace Road, Orrell Park, was arrested and charged with murder and having an offensive weapon in public.
He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, via video link from HMP Liverpool, for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Fletcher, with short brown hair and beard, and wearing a grey zip-up top, spoke only to confirm his personal details and enter his pleas.
He pleaded not guilty to murder and also denied having an offensive weapon, "namely a knife", on the same date.
Richard Pratt, QC, prosecuting, said a trial, which is estimated to last two weeks, could take place on June 20 this year.
Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said a judge had not yet been nominated to preside over the murder trial.
The judge, who is Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, remanded Fletcher in custody until the trial.
Mr Stenson's family paid tribute to him in a statement released shortly after his death.
They said: "Paul was a hard-working and loving father.
"He leaves behind his son, daughter, mother and wife who he has been with for more than 15 years, they had been together since school and [were] practically inseparable.
"As a tree surgeon our Paul loved the outdoors and was well known in the community as Paul Mac.
"Wherever he went someone would recognise and chat with Paul.
"His loss will leave our family devastated this Christmas and in the years to come."
Families Fighting for Justice is a peer support group for families bereaved by homicide.
It runs The Hub, in Anson Street, off Prescot Street near the Royal Liverpool Hospital, which is a drop-in centre with information and support under one roof.
The charity understands the issues affecting a victim's family of homicide or culpable road death and can offer advice and guidance, referral to a network of providers, counselling services, support through the judicial process and more.
For more details on The Hub visit: www.homicidesupporthub.org
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
