Norfolk man in court over assault near pub where friend died

Geoffrey Noble, 59, was charged with affray and assault by beating following an incident near The King's Head pub in Loddon.

A police cordon near the King's Head pub in Loddon (Image: Submitted) Neil McGibbon, a 58-year-old plumber who was a good friend of Noble's, was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries following an assault near the pub on November 10 last year.

He remained in hospital until he died on November 13 last year.

Neil McGibbon (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) A file has been prepared for the coroner after it was decided by police five men, all aged in their 20s, who were arrested on suspicion of assault and questioned would face no further action.

Noble who was charged with assault by beating - in relation to an alleged assault against a man in his 20s - as well as affray on November 10 last year, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday.

Neil McGibbon (left) and Geoffrey Noble (right) (Image: Facebook) Noble, from Hardley Road, Chedgrave, pleaded not guilty to affray  before the prosecution indicated they would not be proceeding with it and would "offer no evidence".

The assault charge was remitted back to Norwich Magistrates Court with the defendant due to appear at the lower court on August 22 in relation to that.

Noble was granted unconditional bail by Judge Katharine Moore.

As previously reported, tributes have been paid to Mr McGibbon, who was born in Glasgow but lived in Chedgrave.

Members of his family described Mr McGibbon as a "beloved son, brother, husband, father and friend".

The family added: "He was a proud Scotsman and Celtic fan who played a hugely influential role in his son's life, who shared his father's love of football and golf."

An inquest into the death of Mr McGibbon, whose cause of death was given as severe head injuries, was opened in December last year.