Not Guilty Plea Entered in Brentwood Murder Case

An individual has entered a not guilty plea to the murder of a 63-year-old man, whose body was discovered following reports of a severe assault at a residence. Police officers located the deceased, identified as Francis Reilly, also known as Frankie, at a property on Ingrave Road, near Brentwood High Street, on 12 September. John Moore was charged with the murder. At Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, the 38-year-old’s defence barrister submitted a not guilty plea on his behalf. A trial, anticipated to last two weeks, has been scheduled for 10 March. The Essex Police Serious Crime Directorate initiated an investigation, which led to Mr Moore’s arrest and subsequent charge for murder. He was remanded into custody and was expected to appear at Basildon Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing. However, the correctional facility where he is being held reported an inability to locate him. His defence barrister, Craig Rush, informed the court that the defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.