AN 18-year-old Eve Hill man has appeared in court accused of murder following a fight outside a Rowley Regis pub.

Michael Karl Cameron, of The Shrubbery, appeared before Warley Magistrates on Monday, December 17 charged with the murder of 19-year-old Richard Joseph Blakeway.

Mr Blakeway, who lived in Rowley Regis, died as a result of a fractured skull following the incident outside the Chaplin's pub in Dudley Road just before midnight on Friday, December 14.

The defendant was remanded in custody and will next appear before Wolverhampton Crown Court on March 10 to enter a plea.

A 22-year-old from Wordsley who was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of assault has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Police, who are appealing for witnesses, say a number of people were in the immediate area of the pub at the time and are asking them to contact the incident room on 0845 1135000.