Murder charges dropped for men charged over Rotorua man's death

Murder charges have been dropped for two men charged relating to the death of former Rotorua man Diego Hulton in Australia.

The men were charged with murder after 37-year-old Hulton died in hospital days after an incident outside a Perth bar last year. The murder charges have been replaced with serious assault charges.

Diego Hulton. Photo/file

Hulton reportedly was going to his brother's aid when he was allegedly attacked by a group outside the bar on February 3. He took a hit to the head, knocking him unconscious, and died in hospital on February 7.

Hulton, a father of two, was born and raised in Rotorua but moved to Australia six years before he died. His body was brought home to Rotorua for his funeral.

Diego Hulton's family and friends say their final farewell to the former Rotorua man at his tangi at Tunohopu Marae in February last year. Photo/file

Two men, Salvatore Aaron Raimondi and Jordan Peter Clarke, were charged with Hulton's murder.

Raimondi now faces two charges - causing grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm - and will reappear in the Perth Magistrates Court on May 30.

Clarke now faces two charges - with intent to harm, omitted to do or did an act which resulted in life, safety or health being endangered and assault occasioning bodily harm.

He will reappear in the Perth District Court on April 27.