A MAN who was charged following a fatal stabbing in Bemerton Heath has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Maurice Jones, 25, of Gainsborough Close, entered his plea to the murder of 20-year-old Tsvetomir Genov during a short hearing at Winchester Crown Court today, December 14.

He was remanded in custody by Judge Angela Morris until his trial, which was set to start on June 3 2024, with a further preliminary hearing to be held on March 4.

The judge told the defendant: “There is a trial date, it’s fixed now for June of next year. It’s really important that you engage with your legal team. You will remain in custody.”

Mr Genov died following the incident in Gainsborough Close at about 11.55am on August 22.

Read more: ​Tsvetomir Genov: Go Fund Me page set up to help with funeral costs

In a statement released through Wiltshire Police, his family said: “We lost our first-born amazing son TG suddenly and it is a really hard time for our family.

“He is a brother to two boys and also a father to a little boy.

“We still don’t want to believe he is not here anymore and he will never be back and we will never see his smile again, will not hear his voice, his little boy will have to grow up without his father.

“It is hard and painful, sad and heartbreaking.

“He will stay forever 20 as someone took him from us in such a cruel and horrible way.”