Four accused of murdering Blackhall dad John Littlewood told of new trial date after coronavirus delay
John Littlewood, 36, was found dead in the bedroom of a house in Third Street, Blackhall Colliery, on Tuesday, July 30, last year, after he sustained head injuries.
Donna Balfour, Ninth Street, 35, and James Riley, 30, both of Ninth Street in Blackhall Colliery, and Marty Bates, 30 and Tracey Bunney, 44, both of Tenth Street, also Blackhall Colliery, deny his murder had been due to stand trial starting on Wednesday, April 22, at Teesside Crown Court.
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Hide AdNow the four have been told their trial will begin on Wednesday, June 3, following a short hearing held today, Tuesday, May 5.
At a previous hearing, Balfour, who gave birth to a girl in January, and Riley applied to have the case against them dismissed.
While the result of that application is yet to be formally made to the court, all four have been listed to stand trial next month.
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Hide AdLast Friday, May 1, the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary said it aims to restart jury trials as soon as it is safe to do so, with a small number of crown courts identified to host the first resumed hearings, while keeping to social distancing and the health and safety of all those who use the courts.
These will be assessed in the next week with the help of Public Health England to work out if a jury trial is possible, with the Lord Chief Justice to make a final decision for jury trials once the whole system is ready.
The family of Mr Littlewood, who was known as John D, joined detectives as they appealed for anyone with information to get in touch with police in the aftermath of his death.