A 49-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court to deny fatally shooting a dad-of-two on the doorstep of a house in Oswaldtwistle.

Matthew Moseley, of Barnard Close, Oswaldtwistle, appeared over video link to Preston Crown Court where he denied murdering 32-year-old Lee Holt.

Wearing a grey jumper Moseley spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, nationality and enter his not guilty plea.

He was remanded in custody to return to the crown court on April 11 where he will stand trial before a High Court Judge.

Mr Holt, who is from Accrington, was found with a single fatal gunshot wound on the doorstep of a house in Barnard Close at 8.25pm on October 25.

A murder investigation was launched and Moseley was subsequently arrested and charged.

A 14-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder was released without charge.

In a statement released after his death, Mr Holt’s family said: “He has two beautiful children, Alecia aged 12 and Kiera-Leigh aged eight, who were his entire world.

“Family was his life. He has left the love of his life Kate in the most traumatic way imaginable.

“We hope to draw from the courage and strength he showed in his life to get through this extremely difficult time.”