The incident occurred on June 19 in a cottage area.

The accused allegedly attacked the victim, who was in his 50s, with an ax and then hit him in the head.

The man received a wound on one side of the skull with underlying bone fractures and bleeding in the brain.

He also suffered injuries to his left shoulder, muscle attachments and the joint between the collarbone and the shoulder.

Denies crime

The injuries were so serious that he died in hospital a month later.

The suspect is thus charged with murder and, secondarily, aggravated assault and causing the death of another.

He denied any wrongdoing.

The man is also charged with suspicion of having abused the victim on a previous occasion for minor drug offenses.