Man denies murdering taxi driver

A 28-year-old man pleaded not guilty today to the murder of a taxi driver who was stabbed to death.

Father-of-four Mohammed Arshad died last July after he was knifed in the head and left in a country lane near the border of Birmingham and Worcestershire.

The 36-year-old was found lying at the side of the road in Wast Hills Lane, Kings Norton, on July 22, and died in hospital the following day. His blue Ford Galaxy taxi was found abandoned about a mile away.

Andrew Bayliss, of Ratcliffe Avenue, Kings Norton, Birmingham, was arrested and charged in November, following an investigation involving more than 70 officers from the West Midlands and West Mercia forces.

He entered his plea by videolink during a 10-minute hearing at Birmingham Crown Court.

The case was adjourned for trial on a date to be fixed.