A date has been set next year for the trial of a man charged with murder and attempted murder after two men were stabbed in a hostel in Regency Square, Brighton, in April.
Daniel Bassett, 26, of no fixed address, is due to face a trial by jury on Monday 24 May.
Bassett is charged with the murder of 37-year-old Tio Day, also known as Marcus or Fletch, at Moon’s Lodge, in Regency Square, in the early hours of Sunday morning (26 April).
He is also charged with the attempted murder of Dylan McEwan.
Bassett entered a not guilty plea to each of the charges at Brighton Crown Court yesterday (Monday 26 October).
Judge Christine Henson, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove, remanded him in custody until the trial which is expected to last for two to three weeks.
Sussex Police started an investigation six months ago. The operation was given the name Op Wenthill.
On Tuesday 28 April, Sussex Police said: “Following an incident in which one man died and another sustained serious injuries, a 26-year-old man has been charged.
“Emergency services responded to reports of a fight taking place inside a property in Regency Square at around 2.10am on Sunday 26 April.
“Inside, two men were found with stab injuries. One of the men, in his thirties, was taken to hospital for treatment.
“The second man, aged 37, and now formally identified as Tio Day was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene a short while later.
“His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
“Police attended a nearby hotel following reports of a man entering the reception and exhibiting concerning behaviour.
“Daniel Bassett, of no fixed address, was arrested in connection with the incident and taken to custody.
“On Tuesday 28 April, he was charged with murder and attempted murder.”
Bassett was remanded to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 29 April and made his first appearance in the crown court in Hove on Friday 1 May.
An inquest was opened into the death of Mr Day on Thursday 7 May at West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Coroner’s Court, at Woodvale, in Brighton.
The court was told that Mr Day died of a single stab wound to the heart and the coroner Joanne Andrews adjourned the inquest until a date to be set after the criminal trial.
In April, Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “Tragic incidents like this have significant consequences. Lives are lost or changed forever, families are left grieving and entire communities are affected.”
Chief Superintendent Hays, the police divisional commander in Brighton and Hove, said “We will continue to work tirelessly to tackle knife crime in our communities and hold those found responsible to account.”
The organiser of a crowdfunder to pay for Mr Day’s funeral, Nick Hickman, wrote: “Tio Day, also known as Marcus/Fletch, sadly passed away on Saturday 25 April 2026, leaving behind two brothers and two children.
“Tio had a hard life growing up, losing his mother as a very young child, resulting in him going into the system and turning to drugs.
“Unfortunately, the system failed him and this is the outcome, found murdered in a hostel.
“He was loveable, quiet and kept himself to himself.”
