A MAN is due to appear at crown court today charged with murder in connection with an alleged stabbing in Cinderford on the weekend.

Michael Beach, aged 45 and of Ruspidge Road, Cinderford, is accused of murdering 36-year-old Scott Hopkins on Friday evening (December 8).

Emergency services were called to High Street, near its junction with Valley Road, at 10.20pm with a report that a man had been stabbed inside a house.

Mr Hopkins was treated by paramedics and later died from his injuries.

Michael Beach was arrested and held in police custody over the weekend.

A scene guard was in place at the property while officers from the Gloucestershire Police Major Crime Investigation Team carried out their investigation.

At Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Sunday (December 10), police were granted an additional 36 hours in which to question Beach.

He appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Monday after being charged, and was remanded in custody to appear at Bristol Crown Court today (Wednesday, Dec 13). 

Anyone with information can fill out an incident form on the force website quoting 446 of December 8, or  contact independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.