Murder trial over alleged killing of Blackhall dad John Littlewood faces delay until 2021 due to virus crisis

Two men and two women were due to stand trial over the murder of John Littlewood, 36, from Blackhall, on Wednesday, June 3, after it was previously moved from April 22.

But still no local trials are able to take place because of the ongoing virus restrictions, which is creating a huge backlog of cases.

A remote hearing at Teesside Crown Court heard the earliest the trial may be able to be dealt with by the court is in March 2021.

Mr Littlewood 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, 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.

They are all currently remanded in custody.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Paul Watson extended the limit that all the defendants can be held without conviction until a further review of the case on Thursday, July 30.

In the meantime, he said the court would try to find an earlier trial date, including at another court centre.

Judge Watson said: “I have to say that in over 40 years experience in criminal practice I have never encountered a situation such as that which faces the criminal justice system at the moment.

“It’s a wholly unexpected and unforeseeable state of affairs. Every effort is being made to try the inevitable back log of cases caused by the coronavirus.”

John Elvidge QC, representing Bates, said the defendants faced the prospect of being in custody for 18 months before the trial starts.

The case is expected to last up to four weeks.

Gregory Bull QC, representing Riley, added: “We're anxious for as early a date as possible, as the court is.”

All parties in today's hearing accessed it remotely online with only the judge and court clerks actually in the courtroom.

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