A MAN has denied the murder of a 48-year-old man who was found battered to death at his home in Little Hulton.

Kevin Anthony Barratt, aged 34, of Moorhey Road, is charged with killing Terence Evan, of the same address, in July.

Police were called to a bungalow in Moorhey Road following reports that a man had suffered a serious head injury.

He pleaded not guilty when he appeared via video link at Manchester Crown Court.

A trial date has been set for January 24, 2005 and a pre-trial review will be held via video link on November 26.