He has appeared in court, with the next hearing due in September

13:03, Fri, May 29, 2026 Updated: 13:09, Fri, May 29, 2026

Allison selfie in car & people with blurred faces

Billy Allison (right) of Raise the Colours (Image: -)

A founder of the Raise the Colours group, known for attaching England and Union Flags to lampposts, has been charged with murder. Billy Allison, 36, from Solihull, appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday morning, charged with murder and Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent. It comes after an incident outside a cocktail bar in Litchfield, Staffordshire, over the bank holiday weekend.

Police were called to the Rice and Loren bar at 11.25pm on Sunday, following reports that two men had been punched. One of the men, Matthew O’Gara, died from his injuries in hospital on Tuesday. Officers said the second victim, Adam Copper, was also taken to the hospital for his injuries, but was later discharged. Allison is charged with causing grievous bodily harm in relation to Mr Copper. Mr O’Gara was the director of The Plough pub in the nearby village of Huddlesford. Wearing a blue long-sleeved top, Allison appeared before Judge Avik Mukherjee for an eight-minute hearing.

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Street view of Ricco and Loren bar

The incident happened at the Ricco and Loren bar (Image: Phil Barnett/PA Wire)

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, that he would next appear in court in September and would be remanded into custody, the Daily Mail reported.

He said the next hearing will take place on September 1. Of his trial, the judge said: “You have an obligation to come. You are expected to be here every day for your trial.”

Allison, of Cropthorne Road in Shirley, 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: "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.

"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."

In an emotional post online, Mr O'Gara's mum, Jane, said she would never get over her son's sudden death.

"You was too young to leave us," she said. "Forever in our hearts."

Lichfield Rugby Club told BirminghamLive Mr O'Gara was a "close friend" and that his passing had been "devastating for family, friends, colleagues" and the whole of his pub community.

Posting an image of Mr O'Gara to its Facebook page, the Tamworth Road club described Mr O'Gara as being "pivotal in the introductions of new members, businesses and sponsors". Dozens of people have also shared their condolences in the comment section of the club post.