Man pleads not guilty to murder of Staffordshire businessman outside bar
Quick Look
- Billy Allison, 36, pleaded not guilty at Stafford Crown Court to the murder of Matthew O’Gara and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second man outside Ricco & Loren bar in Lichfield on 24 May.
- O’Gara, director of the Plough pub in Huddlesford, died two days after the attack.
- Trial is set for 28 October.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Billy Allison, a member of the flag-raising group Raise the Colours, was charged with murder and grievous bodily harm following an attack outside Ricco & Loren bar in Lichfield on 24 May. Matthew O’Gara, director of the Plough pub in Huddlesford, died two days after sustaining serious injuries. A second man was injured but discharged from hospital.
A man accused of murdering a businessman outside a bar in Staffordshire has pleaded not guilty.
Billy Allison, 36, a member of the flag-raising group Raise the Colours, appeared at Stafford crown court on Tuesday and entered not guilty pleas to the murder of Matthew O’Gara and to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second person.
Allison, of Shirley in Solihull, West Midlands, appeared via video link from HMP Dovegate.
Officers were called to the Ricco & Loren bar on Market Street in Lichfield at 11.25pm on 24 May after receiving reports two men had been punched, Staffordshire police previously said in a statement.
O’Gara, who was the director of the Plough pub in the nearby village of Huddlesford, sustained serious injuries and died in hospital two days later. The second man also attended hospital and was later discharged.
Judge Mukherjee told Allison on Tuesday that he would stand trial in October and it would probably last for about 10 days. “I have adjourned your case for trial to the 28th of October,” he said.
Lichfield rugby club paid tribute to O’Gara after his death, describing him as “a friend of the club and a very generous and valued sponsor”.
Its post said: “From everyone at the club we would like to offer our deepest condolences to all of Matt’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider Plough family.”
The Plough pub closed its doors in the immediate aftermath to give family and staff “the time, privacy and respect they need”, according to the post on Facebook.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Billy Allison will stand trial for murder and grievous bodily harm with intent on 28 October 2026.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What was the motive behind the attack?
- Were there any witnesses to the incident?
- What evidence will be presented at trial?
- Is there any connection between Raise the Colours and the attack?
