A MAN who was accused of murder after a man died at an Oxford Travellers site is not expected to face a trial his defence team have claimed.

Thames Valley Police launched a murder investigation in June after a post-mortem examination concluded that a man - Anthony Joyce - had died as a result of a head injury.

Officers said they were called to the Redbridge Hollow site off Abingdon Road, Oxford, to reports of a man found unresponsive at his home.

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Anthony Joyce was later named as the 33-year-old who had died.

John Joyce, 30, of Redbridge Hollow, was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody.

In July a trial date was set for the case and due to be held at Oxford Crown Court on November 11 this year.

Joyce appeared via videolink at the same court yesterday, where a formal plea was expected to be entered.

However, the 30-year-old of Redbridge Hollow, Oxford, spoke only to confirm his name at the brief hearing and did not enter any plea.

Prosecutors and the defence asked that the case be adjourned while further medical reports of the alleged victim are obtained before any plea is entered.

Thomas Price, representing Joyce, told the court: "We don't anticipate a trial."

Presiding Judge Ian Pringle QC agreed to adjourn the case for those reports and Joyce will appear again at the same court on November 30.

Previously, Margaret Joyce - the deceased's wife - released a tribute following the death of her husband Anthony.

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In her tribute, she said: "All the memories we have had together – I have a pain in my heart that will not go away.

"I want you to watch over me and Mary Kate.

"But I cannot accept that you have gone.

"I keep expecting you to open the door and say, ‘What is wrong my Margaret?’.

"I do not have words to express the pain I have in my heart, I will never forget you.

"Anthony was loud and merry, but he was harmless; he never held grudges.

"He had a good heart and is going to be missed by family and friends in England and Ireland."