Man denies murder after businessman attacked outside Lichfield bar
A man, charged with killing a businessman outside a Lichfield bar, is due to go on trial in October after denying two offences.
Last updated 1st Sep 2026
Billy Allison, 36, denied murdering Matthew O’Gara and also pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second alleged victim.
He entered the pleas during a 20-minute hearing at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday.
Allison, from Cropthorne Road in Shirley, Solihull, appeared by video link from HMP Dovegate near Uttoxeter. He was wearing a grey round-neck Nike jumper.
Mr O’Gara, who was the director of a pub near Lichfield, died on May 26 after being taken to hospital following an alleged assault outside a city centre bar two days earlier.
After hearing legal submissions from prosecutor Tim Hannam KC and defence barrister Gurdeep Garcha KC, Judge Avik Mukherjee said Allison’s trial is expected to last around 10 days.
The judge told Allison: “I have adjourned your case for trial to the 28th of October.
“You will be produced at court for that hearing. Please make sure that you attend. You will be remanded in custody until the 28th of October.”