Tributes have been paid to a young father after two people have been charged with his alleged murder. Andrew Main, 33, from Falkirk, Scotland, was involved in an incident on July 17. He was admitted to hospital where he remained, but on August 14 he died from his injuries and a murder investigation was launched by South Wales Police.
Joseph Dix, 26, of Frome, and Macauley Ruddock, 27, of Bath, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, 13 September. They both pleaded not guilty, and a trial has now been set for January 2025. The court heard how the 33-year-old suffered serious brain injuries in the incident and was initially treated at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff before being medically transferred to a hospital in Edinburgh where he died almost a month later.
Two men were initially charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm in connection with the alleged incident which happened in Princess Way in the city centre in the early hours of July 17. Andrew’s sister, Nikki Main, has paid tribute to her brother, describing him as “fabulous” and “fun.”
“He was a witty man with a huge heart – loyal to the core. He was a fabulous brother, fun uncle, and supportive daddy to his two children,” she said. “He will forever live in our hearts and memories. The hole that has been left in our hearts will never be filled. Everyone in our community has been grief-stricken, but we have rallied together as one at this sad time.”
The court has heard the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland declined a request for a post-mortem examination of Mr. Main to be transferred to a Welsh jurisdiction. The defendants, Joseph Nigel Dix and Macauley Luke Ruddock, both pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr. Main and not guilty to the lesser alternative of his manslaughter. A trial date has been set for January 6 next year.
For the latest court reports, sign up for the crime newsletter. The court heard that Mr. Main’s body has not yet been released to his family, and Judge Geraint Walters expressed hope that outstanding matters could be resolved quickly to allow the family to have their loved one back.