Jonathan Bristow, 46, Daniel Carroll, 29, and John McDonnell, 44, have all been charged with the manslaughter of Matthew Griggs.

It comes after his body was discovered in Church Lane, Sprowston, on September 23 2023.

Church Lane, Sprowston (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Mr Griggs was found unresponsive in an area of woodland by his girlfriend and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bristow, of Trafalgar Street, Norwich, Carroll, of no fixed address, and McDonnell, of Recorder Road, Norwich, have all denied manslaughter and are due to stand trial on Monday (March 16).

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A pre-trial review held at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday (March 12) heard from prosecutor Will Carter that "things are in hand" ahead of the start of the case next week.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

A fourth man, Andrew Gough, had initially been charged with manslaughter but has since died.

A court hearing in May last year heard the Crown Prosecution Service had been made aware Gough, 47, of Bussey Road, Norwich was "deceased".

As previously reported, an inquest was opened into the death of Gough at Norfolk Coroner's Court.

It heard he died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital from a heart attack after taking multiple medicines.

The family of Mr Griggs, a former pupil at White Woman Lane Middle School and Sprowston High School, have previously paid tribute to him.

Matthew Griggs (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Describing Mr Griggs as a "kind-hearted person who loved his independence" they said they "still can't believe that he's no longer with us".

They said Mr Griggs, who did not have any children, was born in Norwich in 1985 and lived in Sprowston until the late 1990s when the family moved to Ely.

He later worked in several pubs, hotels and restaurants across the region.

He was a passionate Norwich City supporter and followed the club home and away, including a memorable trip to see the Canaries lose in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in 2002.

He was also a "very good cook", they said.

All three suspect have been remanded in custody ahead of the trial.

© Eastern Daily Press