A MAN has lost his bid to have a murder charge against him dropped.

Clint Spearpoint is one of two men charged with murder at a party just yards from this year's V music Festival in Chelmsford.

The 34-year-old from Kelso Close, Rayleigh, made an application to have the murder charge dismissed during a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court.

But Judge Christopher Ball QC ruled he should face trial on the murder charge along with another man, Sam Martin.

Both men are accused of murdering 39-year-old Anton Jardin, of Eastwood Road, Rayleigh.

Mr Jardin was a guest at a party at a house in London Road, Chelmsford, near the scene of the V Festival when an incident took place in the back garden in the early hours of Sunday August 19.

He died later in hospital.

The murder trial is listed to start at Chelmsford Crown Court on January 21 next year.

Martin, 25, Eastwood Road, Leigh, remains in custody.

Spearpoint is on conditional bail.