The man accused of murdering 77-year-old Ōpotiki man Brian Albert Hilton, will be standing trial in the High Court in Rotorua.

Harry Clements Matchitt, 50, also from Ōpotiki, appeared in Tauranga High Court today via audio-visual link from prison.

A three-week trial date has been set from July 13, 2020.

His alleged victim Brian, was admitted to Tauranga Hospital on 7 July 2016 with facial injuries, from what was believed at the time to be a fall in his home.

He died six days later.

Matchitt has denied the murder charge.

He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Tauranga High Court again on February 13 for a bail hearing.