THREE men have been charged with murder in connection with a death in Hereford.

Even though he has not been formally identified, police have confirmed that the deceased is believed to be Steven Paynter, aged 46.

He was found at his home address in Ryelands Street, Whitecross, at 5.30pm on Saturday after police responded to a report of an assault.

A total of six people - four men and two women - were arrested over the weekend in connection with Mr Paynter's death.

Three people from the city have now been charged with murder.

They are Stacy Hales, aged 35, of Belmont Road, Stephen Munn, aged 20, of Golden Post, and Mark Edwards, aged 22, of Prior Street.

All three people have been remanded in custody and are due before Hereford Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.

A woman has also been charged with assisting an offender.

She is Kim Horry, aged 20, of Ryelands Street (a different address to the deceased) and has been bailed to appear before Hereford Magistrates Court at a later date.

A man in his 40s and a woman in her 20s, who were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of assisting an offender,  have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Inspector Dave Williams said: “The coroner has been informed of Mr Paynter’s death and an inquest will be opened in due course, once formal identification has taken place.

“I'd like to thank all those people who have come forward with information about Mr Paynter’s death and I'd also like to thank local people for their understanding and patience as officers have gone about their investigative work in Hereford over the past few days.

“I'd also like to remind people that anyone who believes they may still have information about his death can contact us on 101.”