Two men accused of murdering a 40-year-old man in Banbury have appeared at the crown court. 

Mark Meadows, 24, of Rees Court, Banbury, and Travis Gorton, 19, of Well Bank, Hook Norton, each face allegations they murdered Keith Green on Sunday, February 13, and possession of a ‘large bladed hunting-style knife’.

Police were called to a garden in Howard Road, Banbury, late on Sunday, February 13, to reports of a stabbing.

Mr Green, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene. He died after suffering a stab wound to the chest.

READ MORE: Police confirm name of Banbury 'murder' victim as Keith Green

The accused duo appeared at Reading Crown Court via video link from HMP Bullingdon this morning for a preliminary hearing. 

Meadows, sporting long blonde hair down to his shoulders and a thick beard, appeared laid back with his legs crossed and hands locked. 

Gorton, with short, clipped hair and a smaller beard, fidgeted as the court waited for the hearing to get underway. 

Both men were wearing grey, prison-issued tracksuits and spoke only to confirm their identities. 

READ MORE: Tributes paid to Banbury 'murder victim'

The hearing proceeded without a prosecutor as the affected barrister was caught up in travel issues caused by the weekend's storms. 

Judge Norton told the accused pair during the hearing, which lasted barely five minutes: “This case has been listed today because there is no judge available to deal with a case of this kind at Oxford today. 

“But the trial -- if there is a trial -- will not be at Reading [Crown Court] and all future hearings will be at Oxford Crown Court.”

Judge Norton said Oxford Crown Court had asked that a provisional trial date not be set today. 

Instead, the case was listed for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, March 18.

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