Frazer Brabant: Five men appear in court in connection with murder

Frazer Brabant was assaulted and found with serious head injuries in the back garden of a house in Gershwin Road on October 31, 2019.

The 31-year-old father of two was taken to hospital and died there, due to the severity of his injuries, on January 21, 2020.

In October last year, police charged five men with offences involving his death:

• Scott Neale, 34, from Spindle Close, Oakridge, has been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and violent disorder.
• Lee Wood, 32, from Griston, Thetford, Norfolk, has been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and violent disorder.
• Forhad Miah, 32, from Chestnuts Close, Oakley, has been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and violent disorder.
• James O’Connor, 24, from Fairfield, Whitchurch, has been charged with murder.
• Ricky Lewis, 40, from Candover Court, Basingstoke, has been charged with conspiracy to commit GBH with intent and violent disorder.

On Friday, January 20, the men appeared at Winchester Crown Court where they entered pleas to the charges.

All of the defendants pleaded not guilty to all of the charges they face.

A trial is set to take place at the same court on April 19, which is expected to last up to eight weeks.

All five were remanded back into custody following the hearing.

Following Mr Brabant’s death, his family paid tribute to him, saying: “Words cannot express the way we feel about losing Frazer.

“He was a much-loved son, grandson, brother and father who has left behind two little girls, aged 7 and 11.

“He fought so bravely and for so long after the devastating attack on him.

“Frazer was a very proud father and loved his girls very much but because of his condition in hospital, his daughters were unable to go and say a final goodbye to their daddy.

“We are all heartbroken and our lives will never be the same. He will be forever missed by all his family and friends and we hope he can now rest in peace."