A MAN killed in Oxford has been named as Graham Collier.

The details were unveiled at Oxford Magistrates' Court today as a man charged with his murder appeared in the dock.

Rodney Brain, 41, from Laurel Close in Carterton, is charged with murdering Mr Collier, a 57-year-old from Oxford, who died on Saturday.

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The murder investigation was launched after police were called to reports of a 'verbal altercation’ between two men on Cowley Road on Thursday evening, at around 7.20pm.

At the time a man in his fifties was assaulted and was taken to hospital with serious head injuries where he then died on Saturday. 

A post mortem confirmed that the cause of death was given as traumatic head injury. 

Brain was arrested on Friday and was remanded in custody ahead of his court appearance.

Police usually have the power to hold somebody for up to 24 hours before they have to make a charge or release somebody.

However a force can apply to hold a person for up to 36 hours if they are suspected of a serious crime such as murder.

The force can then apply to a court for a further extension, called a warrant for further detention, which extends the time it can keep a suspect in custody by up to 96 hours.

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Police were granted an extension to question Brain on Sunday, bringing the total time limit to the evening. However, by 9.30am they had made a charge.

Brain did not enter a plea at magistrates' court because of the nature of the offence and the limited sentencing powers at magistrates.

He is now due to appear at Oxford Crown Court tomorrow.