A MAN has appeared in court accused of stabbing to death a van driver in North Yorkshire.

James Brabbs, 26, will face a trial - likely to last two weeks in May - after pleading not guilty to the charge.

He is said to have murdered Mohammed Saleem Khan, 36, in Easingwold, near York, on September 23.

Mr Khan was was found in his hire van in Long Street and police initially thought he had been in a crash.

A post-mortem examination later revealed that the family man from Luton had been stabbed in the neck.

Mr Khan had been delivering shower products in North Yorkshire in a white Europcar Ford Transit.

Mr Brabbs, of no fixed abode, appeared at Teesside Crown Court in a black jumper and dark jogging pants.

He spoke only to confirm his name and enter his 'not guilty' plea during the 15-minute hearing yesterday.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, remanded Mr Brabbs in custody until his next appearance.