A Norwich man has appeared in court charged with murder following an assault outside a Dereham pub. 

Tyrone Busch, 40, from Hall Road in the city, was arrested on suspicion of murder while he was at another pub, the Beeston Ploughshare. 

During an incident at the Red Lion in Dereham on Saturday, Michael Spooner was assaulted and died in hospital the following evening. 

Busch was arrested on Wednesday evening.

He appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court earlier today to be charged with Mr Spooner's murder.
The incident happened outside the Red Lion in Quebec StreetThe incident happened outside the Red Lion in Quebec Street (Image: Google)

Meanwhile, a friend of both men has told of her shock at Mr Spooner's death.

Georgia Jane, 20, said: "This has all been so intense. I can't get my head around what has happened."

She said the pair knew each other and had both been drinking in the Red Lion on Saturday evening.

She said the assault followed a disagreement between the two of them.

Shortly afterwards, Busch went to see her at St Withburga House, a property in Dereham, and gave his account of what had happened.

Mr Spooner, who was in his 30s, was able to go to his home in Dereham after the incident.

However, paramedics were called to the address at around 5am on Sunday after his condition deteriorated.

Busch was arrested at the Ploughshare in Beeston.Busch was arrested at the Ploughshare in Beeston. (Image: Newsquest)

He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where he died hours later.

A post-mortem examination said the provisional cause of death was a traumatic head injury.

Friends have described Mr Spooner - who was also known as Michael O'Dwyer - as "lovely" and "very sweet".

Police did not become aware of the death until Tuesday, at which point they launched an investigation which led them back to the Red Lion assault, and to the Beeston Ploughshare, where they arrested Busch.

Ms Jane said police had been to interview her as she knew both men and had seen Busch after the incident.

Busch gave an address in Hall Road, Norwich, when he appeared in court to be charged with Mr Spooner's murder.

He wore a grey sweatshirt and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

He was remanded to custody as magistrates committed the case to Norwich Crown Court.

Police are appealing to the public for witnesses and anyone who may have information about the incident.

They should contact the Major Investigation Team quoting reference 36/52076/24.