NewsUK NewsCourt casePolice said they were called to reports of two men being punched at the Ricco and Loren bar in Lichfield. One subsequently died and another was arrested and has appeared in court11:44, 28 May 2026Updated 12:03, 28 May 2026One of the founding members of Raise the Colours - the campaign group that puts England and British flags on lampposts - has been arrested and charged with murder.‌Billy Allison, from Solihull, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the hearing at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Wednesday.‌His appearance came after police said they were called to reports of two men being punched at the Ricco and Loren bar in Market Street, Lichfield, at 11.25pm on Sunday.‌One of the men, Matthew O'Gara, died in hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The second victim, Adam Cooper, was also taken to the hospital but has since been discharged, according to police.Wearing a blue long-sleeved top, Allison appeared before Judge Avik Mukherjee for an eight-minute hearing. The court heard a date for trial, expected to last two weeks, was set for October 26.‌The judge told the defendant, who stood with his hands clasped in front of him, he would next appear in court in September and would be remanded into custody.He said: “Billy Allison, will you stand please. Your next hearing is the first of September and you will be produced to court for that hearing.”Of his trial, the judge said: “You have an obligation to come. You are expected to be here every day for your trial.”‌Allison nodded and was taken back down to the cells by a custody officer following the hearing.A spokesperson for the Ricco and Loren bar said in a post on social media.said: "As a small local family business, we are devastated by the events of the last few days,"We have been working closely with the police in this matter, and we will continue to do so throughout this incredibly sad and difficult time.Article continues below"We are sending all our love, thoughts, and best wishes to everyone affected, we will be closed for a few days to give our staff some time, thank you."The 36-year-old is a key member of Raise the Flag, a campaign movement that displays the Union Flag and the Saint George's Cross in public places.Allison is one of the original members of Raise the Colours who was part of ‘Operation Overlord’. He was one of the men who went to Calais, where the team spoke to asylum seekers and the charity workers assisting them.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Saint GeorgeOperation OverlordHospitalsMurderCourt case