A JURY has been sworn in to hear the trial of a man accused of murdering a Southampton dad.

Scaffolder Damon Wright is accused of murdering father-of-three Kevin Wyeth in August last year.

Wright, 31, of no fixed abode, denies the charge.

He appeared in the dock at Winchester Crown Court today wearing a dark grey suit, dark blue tie and white shirt.

A jury of five women and seven men was sworn in by Judge Boney. Prosecutor Nicholas Haggan QC will open his case against Wright tomorrow.

The body of Mr Wyeth was found badly beaten in an alleyway behind Defender Road and Tankerville Road in Woolston on August 24.

The father from Weston - who had just got a job at Saints training ground -was pronounced dead at the scene from severe head, neck and facial injuries.

Wright was arrested and charged on suspicion of murder and subsequently pleaded not guilty at a court hearing at Winchester Crown Court in November last year.

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

Nigel Lickley QC is representing Wright.