A MAN has appeared in court charged with murder seven months after a man was found dead at his Padiham home.

Wayne Dawson, 56, of Burnley Road, Padiham, appeared before magistrates earlier today charged with the alleged murder of Stephen Macro.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard the alleged victim, Stephen Macro, 57, was discovered unresponsive at his home by his sister on November 25, 2021.

She carried out CPR until ambulance staff arrived, but they pronounced him dead at the scene.

The court was told there was CCTV footage which allegedly showed the Mr Macro involved in a physical altercation with another man, Wayne Dawson, the night before his body was discovered with a gash to the head.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said the cause of death was consistent with being assaulted rather than anything else.

Following the brief hearing, Dawson was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court, where he is next due to appear on Tuesday, July 5.