A COURT date has been set for the preliminary hearing of the 29-year-old man charged with the manslaughter of soldier Jack Mitchell.

Jake Davies, of Bowbridge Lock, Stroud, pleaded not guilty at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday, June 15 to the manslaughter of Jack during the early hours of Sunday, February 5.

His case was immediately transferred to Bristol Crown Court for further hearings and trial because Gloucester does not have judges qualified to deal with such a serious charge.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC formally sent the case to Bristol and told Davies to appear there for a progression hearing next Monday, June 19.

Davies was granted bail on condition he does not go to any on-licensed premises in Stroud.

Following this appearance the preliminary hearing was set for Monday, November 20 at Bristol Crown Court.

Hundreds of people gathered to honour the former Painswick rugby player at his funeral on March 10.

He was given full military honours including a three-volley salute.

A JustGiving page set up by the SNJ in his memory raised £1,647 which will be given to a Kenyan orphanage where Jack spent six months while serving with the army.

At that time his mother Kate Mitchell said: "Something worthwhile will come out of our heart-breaking loss and will be a fitting tribute to Jack and the man he was."