Wellingborough men Nimesh Patel, 24, of Covington Grove, and Shilesh Patel, 26, of Winstanley Road, and Sandeep Phull, 22, of Westcott Way, Abington Vale, Northampton, appeared at Northampton Crown court yesterday accused of killing 21-year-old David Haynes outside a kebab shop in Wellingborough.

The defendants, dressed in black and charcoal-coloured suits, stood, for the most part, silently in the dock, speaking only to acknowledge their names and addresses.

Judge Peter Morell said the three would stand trial at Northampton Crown Court on Monday, January 28.

The trial is expected to last for 10 days.

During yesterday's preliminary hearing, which lasted less than half-an-hour, friends and family of Mr Haynes, one wearing a white T-shirt with RIP David Haynes printed on it, packed one side of the public gallery.

The press gallery was also cleared to make space for the friends and family of Patel, Phull and Patel, who have also been charged with causing grevious bodily harm with intent.

Mr Haynes died after being stabbed outside Delight Kebabs in Silver Street at about 3.45am on August 26, after he had enjoyed a night out to celebrate his 21st birthday.

He was taken to Kettering General Hospital for emergency surgery but died later that afternoon.

A post mortem examination at Leicester Royal Infirmary concluded Mr Haynes died from a single stab wound to his abdomen.

After yesterday's hearing, a statement from Mr Haynes' family was read out by police.

It said: "The family of David want to thank all of the people who have kindly laid flowers and tributes in Wellingborough.

"The family is also grateful that the communities of Wellingborough have remained calm at this difficult time.

"The family is being supported by the police and are being kept up to date with the investigation on a daily basis."

Nimesh Patel and Phull will be represented by Maxine Krone and Shilesh Patel will be represented by Andrew Jefferies.
The prosecutor is set to be Stuart Alford.