TWO teenagers arrested over an alleged homophobic attack on an 18-year-old man will be charged with murder following his death.

James O’Connor and Gavin Alker made their first appear-ance at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday in connection with the fatal assault on Michael Causer.

They were accused of inflict-ing grievous bodily harm with intent on July 25. But Nicholas Johnson QC, prosecuting, said the charges will now be upgrad-ed to murder.

When they appeared at Liver-pool magistrates court “Mickey” Causer, 18, was being kept alive at Walton Neurology Centre. But he died in hospital following the hearing – eight days after he was attacked in Tarbock Road.

O’Connor, formerly of Reeds Road, Huyton, but now of The Brow, Halton, Cheshire, and Gavin Alker, formerly of Woolfall Crescent, Huyton, now of Fleet-wood Walk, Runcorn, both 19, spoke to confirm their names.

They were remanded on bail in front of a packed public gallery by the Recorder of Liverpool Judge Henry Globe remanded the pair on bail.

They are now due to re-appear on November 17 for a plea and case management hearing.

Judge Globe fixed a trial date for January 26, 2009. Their bail had earlier been granted by Liverpool magistrates, and Judge Globe told the teenagers: “Both of you are extremely fortunate to be on bail. If there had been any question of you not turning up I would have revoked bail and had you arrested.”

Judge Globe said it was “extra-ordinary” for anyone facing mur-der charges to be on bail, but he said he would not interfere with the magistrates’ decision.

Christopher Douglas, 19, of Page Moss Avenue, Huyton, has also been charged with witness intimidation in connection with the attack.

A book of condolence has been opened at Liverpool Town Hall in Mr Causer's memory yester-day and Liverpool Lord Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram was the first to sign it.

In a statement Michael’s fam-ily paid tribute to “the life and soul of the party”. It added: “Mickey was very close to his family and will be greatly missed by his mum and dad, brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces, and his grandparents. Mickey loved life and had many friends. He was popular and well liked.”