TWO men charged with the murder of a Mirfield man have pleaded not guilty.

Joe Church, 21, of Redlands Close, Mirfield, and Nadeem Rashid, 21, of Lapwing View, Horbury Bridge, denied killing 20-year-old Josh Hirst.

Mr Hirst died of stab wounds after being attacked in Grove Street, Mirfield, at 11pm on August 3. He later died in hospital.

Church and Rashid also denied possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife.

A third man, Arron Smith, 18, of Savile Street, Emley, is also jointly charged with murder.

He had been due to appear alongside Church and Rashid at Leeds Crown Court yesterday but he was not brought from a young offenders’ institution in Doncaster.

His case was adjourned until next Friday when he is also expected to plead not guilty.

A fourth defendant, Kirstie Rainford, 22, of Springbank Drive, Norristhorpe, Liversedge, admitted three charges of assisting an offender.

The Recorder of Leeds, His Honour Peter Collier QC, ordered a pre-sentence report but Rainford, who left the court in tears, will not be sentenced until after the trial, which is due to start on January 16.

It could last for at least four weeks.

The judge released Rainford on conditional bail but told her she could still go to prison.

He said: “The fact I am asking for a report and have given you bail should not indicate that you will not be given a custodial sentence.

“The likely sentence remains custody but until then you are free to go.”

Church and Rashid were both remanded in custody.