A man has denied the manslaughter of Patrick Lawless after an alleged brawl outside a Teddington pub.

Another seven men, aged between 19 and 26, are alleged to have been involved in a fight outside the Royal Oak, in Teddington High Street, on Saturday, November 10, last year.

Police linked the alleged brawl with the death of St Mary’s University College student Patrick Lawless, from Twickenham, who collapsed in nearby Field Lane at 12.30am on Sunday, November 11.

A murder investigation was launched after the 20-year-old died in hospital from head injuries.

The eight defendants spoke only to confirm their names and enter their pleas when they appeared at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, September 27.

Patrick Conway, 21, of St John’s Road, East Molesey, pleaded not guilty to one charge of manslaughter and one charge of violent disorder.

Inigo Anderson, 21, of Queenswood Avenue, Hampton, denied one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

James Hales, 21, of Rectory Grove, Hampton, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder, one count of grievous bodily harm and one count of wounding with intent. He denied a second charge of grievous bodily harm.

The remaining five defendants pleaded not guilty to one charge of violent disorder each.

They were Aaron Noonan, 21, of Brick Farm Close, Richmond, Ben Axelrod, 26, of Station Approach, Epsom, Callum Hurley, 20, of Fulmer Close, Hampton, Max Mears, 19, of Temple Sheen Road, East Sheen, and Edward Barry Thompson-Membery, 22, of Pollard Street, Bethnal Green.

The defendants are due to return to the same court on January 13 for the trial, which is expected to last five weeks.