SIX people were due to appear in court this morning accused of the murder of a New Forest man who died from head injuries as a result of an assault near his Hampshire home.

Police say the group will also face allegations of violent disorder following the death of Jeffrey Rostigina, 44.

The defendants are Gavin Gore, 24, of Vaudrey Close, Shirley, Southampton, and Jeanette Crutcher, 35, and Peter Crutcher, 46, both of Howe Close, New Milton.

They will be joined in the dock at Lyndhurst Magistrates' Court by two juveniles, aged 14 and 16, from New Milton, and a 14-year-old from the Southampton area.

Police today confirmed two other people were hurt in the incident but their injuries are not considered life threatening.

Meanwhile, the grief-stricken teenage son of Mr Rostigina, who also lives in Howe Close, has paid tribute to his father, who leaves four sons and two daughters aged fromk 17 to 21.

Stephen Rostigina, 17, said: "He was a good man. He had a heart of gold.

"If he had something and you wanted it he would give it to you. He was a good guy."

Mr Rostigina died in hospital after suffering head injuries during the incident at his home in Howe Close, North Milton housing estate, New Milton, at about 11.15pm on Friday night.

Stephen, who lives nearby, was not present at the time. Police scenes-of-crime experts examined the scene yesterday afternoon.