Murder trial date set for two men accused over Leeds barber shop shooting

Keal Richards, 21, and Jaydn Manners, 23, appeared before Leeds Crown Court today over the death of Raheem Wilks.

The teenager was shot outside a barber’s shop in Gathorne Terrance, Chapeltown, Leeds, on January 26 this year.

Mr Wilks, the brother of Leeds United player Mallik Wilks, died later in hospital.

Police said a post mortem examination found the the teenager, from Chapeltown, died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Richards, 21, of Francis Street, Chapeltown, and Manners, of Louis Street, Chapeltown, appeared in court on screen via video link from Armley prison for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Lawyers for the two men said neither of them were in a position to be able enter pleas to the murder charge.

A trial date was set for October 16, depending on the defendants’ pleas.

The Recorder of Leeds, judge Peter Collier, QC, said the date was beyond the six-month limit that the two men can kept in custody before the case reaches trial.

Both men agreed when asked by the judge if they consented for the time limit to be extended to that trial date

The court heard the defendants were prepared to have the trial dealt with outside the custody time limit to allow them to be represented by their preferred choice of counsel.

Richards and Manners were returned to custody until June 6, when they are expected to enter pleas.