Five men who are charged over the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath have appeared in crown court today.
The men, including ex-South Yorkshire Police Chief Inspector Norman Bettison, sat in a glass-walled dock at Preston Crown Court.
No formal pleas were given during thehearing but each of the accused have had their legal teams have indicated they will deny the charges.
During the hearing today, Mr Justice Davis has ruled that any forthcoming trials should be held in Preston. Members of the defense had argued that the case should be held in London in order to avoid “bias”.
Around 20 family members of the 96 fans who were fatally injured in the disaster sat in the public gallery overlooking the court.
The court was today packed with a total of 36 lawyers.
Former Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield also faces 95 charges of manslaughter in relation to the disaster but he was not required to attend the court hearing.
Duckenfield can not be charged until an application to lift a stay on a previous prosecution has been heard by the High Court. Duckenfield was the match commander at the FA Cup semi-final where 96 Liverpool fans were fatally injured.