Two men have denied murdering a company director who was shot dead at a warehouse.

Suraj Mistry, 26, and 18-year-old Lemar Wali pleaded not guilty to the murder of Akhtar Javeed via a video-link to Birmingham Crown Court today.

Both were charged in connection with the death of the 56-year-old East Ham businessman on February 3.

The men have also denied conspiracy to rob the Direct Source warehouse in Digbeth, Birmingham, between January 1 and February 3, and two counts each of possession of a handgun with intent to cause fear or violence.

Wali, of Osmaston Park Road, Derby, and Mistry, of Laundon Way, Leicester, spoke only to confirm their names and enter pleas.

A third man, 25-year-old Asif Aurangzaib, of Leacroft Road, Derby, appeared in the court dock to enter a not guilty plea to a charge of conspiracy to rob the warehouse.

The men are now set to stand trial on Monday, August 8, with the trial expected to last up to six weeks.