A man accused of murdering Piotr Pruszak has denied the charge at Southampton Crown Court, sending the case toward a four-week trial scheduled for October 5 at Winchester Crown Court. Marcin Buryta, 31, appeared in court on Tuesday after the fatal shooting that left Mr Pruszak dead in Southampton in February.

Police were called to Conifer Road at around 8pm on February 11 after reports of a man suffering a gunshot wound. Mr Pruszak, 45, was found with serious injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene. Buryta, of Conifer Road, pleaded not guilty to murdering him and was wearing a grey suit, a maroon shirt and a black tie as he appeared with the help of a Polish interpreter.

Judge William Mousley KC adjourned the case for trial and told Buryta that, between now and a date in June, he must provide a written statement with the help of his lawyers explaining why he is not guilty. The judge also said: “You are remanded in custody, and you can go with the officer.”

The shooting brought a large police presence to Conifer Road, which stayed cordoned off until the afternoon of the following day. The case is now moving into its next stage after the not guilty plea, with the central question for the prosecution and defence to be tested in court at Winchester in the autumn.