A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of Blackburn dad James Murray.

Lee Kenyon appeared by videolink at Preston Crown Court, for a 20 minute hearing this morning ((FRI)).

Dressed in a grey sweater, Kenyon, 35, spoke only to confirm his name and thank the judge at the end of the proceedings.

He is charged with Mr Murray’s murder and wounding another man, Jordan Barton, who was stabbed 24 hours earlier.

North West Ambulance crews attended Largs Road, Shadsworth at around 1.30am on Monday to find Mr Murray with serious injuries,

He was taken to hospital but died.

At 12.10am the previous day officers were called to the Texaco garage in Grimshaw Park following reports a man had been stabbed.

Kenyon is also charged with both offences, which took place 24 hours apart.

The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark Brown, remanded Kenyon in custody.

Kenyon, of Hall Street, Blackburn, will return to court on January 9 to enter his plea to the charges.

Throughout the hearing, members of Mr Murray’s family sat in the public gallery.