Man appears in court accused of murdering Tyson Fury's cousin Rico Burton

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A man accused of murdering Tyson Fury's cousin Rico Burton could go on trial at the beginning of next year. Liam O'Prey, 21, faces four counts relating to the same incident in Goose Green, Altrincham, which left 31-year-old Rico dead in the early hours of Sunday morning (August 21).

A 17-year-old was seriously wounded in the incident and was given 'life-saving' treatment at the scene. Mr O'Prey is accused of Rico's murder; unlawful wounding with intention to cause grievous bodily harm; possession of a bladed article; namely a knife; and possession of cocaine.

Mr O'Prey, of Little Moss Lane, Swinton, Salford, appeared at Manchester Crown Court today (Friday) via video link and spoke only to confirm his name during the preliminary hearing. No pleas were entered during the brief hearing in front of Judge Nicholas Dean QC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester.

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Further dates for the case were set with a trial scheduled for February 6. Mr O'Prey is next due to appear in court on October 21. He was remanded in custody until that date.

Tributes have poured in for Rico, who was the cousin of boxing champion Tyson Fury, following his death. Shaun Egan, who previously coached Rico alongside his brother Steve at Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy in Manchester, spoke to the Manchester Evening News after his tragic passing.

"He was an absolute talent," he said. "He was such a nice lad, he was hard working and had a great sense of humour.

"What's happened is just awful. He was just a great guy. To hear he has died like this is devastating."

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