Medical-evidence delay thwarts plea hearing for Leeds bus-stop murder accused
Medical evidence is still required before a man accused of murdering a pensioner at a bus stop can enter a plea, a court has heard.
Thomas Childe appeared at Leeds Crown Court this morning where he was due either plead guilty or not guilty to the killing of 79-year-old Colin Starbuck in Garforth, next to the town’s larger Tesco store.
The 23-year-old, who was walking with the use of a crutch, appeared over a video link from HMP Leeds where he is being held on remand.
The court was told that a report on the case from a neuro pathologist was still pending and that CCTV from the area at the time of the killing in October needed to be “enhanced” and studied.
Judge Andrew Stubbs KC told Childe that the case would need to be adjourned until December 16 in the hope the case can move forward in the meantime.
A provisional trial date, in the event that Childe denies the murder charge, is yet to be set.
Childe, of Oak Crescent, Garforth, was remanded back into custody.
Police were called by the ambulance service at 6.35pm on October 29 to reports that a man had been found seriously injured at the bus stop on Aberford Road in Garforth.
Members of the public had tried to help before ambulance crews arrived. Mr Starbuck was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead.
An 18-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of murder following the reported assault at the bus stop. Childe was later arrested and charged. The teenager was bailed pending further inquiries.