FIVE men charged over the Hillsborough disaster, which saw 96 people killed - including Bromsgrove's Andrew Brookes - have appeared in court. 

Mr Brookes was one of 96 fans who was killed during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

His sister has campaigned for justice ever since, alongside the families of the other 95 fans.

Former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison stood in the dock of a courtroom today (August 9) as a suspect facing criminal charges almost 30 years on from the Hillsborough disaster.

Bettison, 61, a former chief constable of West Yorkshire and Merseyside, is charged with four offences of misconduct in a public office, relating to alleged lies he told in accounts of his involvement in the disaster afterwards.

Bettison appeared alongside Graham Mackrell who was Sheffield Wednesday Football Club's company secretary and safety officer, Peter Metcalf, the solicitor acting for South Yorkshire Police after the disaster, Donald Denton, a former chief superintendent, and Alan Foster, a former detective chief inspector.

The five defendants spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth, and no formal pleas were entered.

More than 30 relatives of the 96 who died sat in the public gallery to watch proceedings.

All five were bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on September 6.