Murder trial over death of 'gifted' Leeds student Bethany Fields delayed by five months to allow mental health assessment of alleged killer

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The trial of a man accused of murdering Leeds student Bethany Fields has been adjourned so his mental health can be assessed.

Paul Crowther was due to go on trial yesterday (February 3) accused of murdering the 21-year-old environmental geography student in an alleged attack last autumn.

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Miss Fields, from Bramley, was found seriously injured on Fitzwilliam Street, Huddersfield, on Thursday September 12 last year.

An inquest has heard she died after suffering numerous stab wounds.

Bethany FieldsBethany Fields
Bethany Fields | other

Crowther, 35, of Elm Way, Birstall, is also charged with possession of a blade.

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Crowther's barrister, Stephen Wood, told a hearing at Leeds Crown Court that more time was needed to allow doctors to assess his fitness to enter pleas to the charges.

The court heard there had been a delay in transferring Crowther from prison to a secure hospital where an assessment of his mental health can be carried out.

A new trial date was set for August 3. Any trial is expected to last five days.

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The court heard that a jury may be called to determine the facts of the case if Crowther is unfit to go on trial.

Crowther did not appear in court during the hearing.

Adjourning the case, Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said: "An assessment of the defendant's mental health is crucial."

Crowther was formally remanded in custody.

A pre-trial hearing will take place on June 22.

A judge at an earlier hearing described Miss Fields' death as "a dreadful case."

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Miss Fields' relatives were in the public gallery during the brief hearing.

After her death relatives described how she had a bright future ahead of her.

In a statement released via the police, they said: "The life of Bethany, who was a beautiful, talented, ambitious, intelligent, kind, giving, and loving daughter, was tragically taken from her.

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"A daughter, who any parent would have been proud of, much loved and respected by all; family, friends, work colleagues and fellow students.

"Bethany had a bright future ahead of her.

"She was studying Environmental Geography at university, travelling to Iceland to study the effects of glacial melts on the environment and to the Canary Islands to study volcanoes.

"She was musically gifted, starting on a music mentoring course and gradually during the holidays working at a studio.

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"More recently, she worked with a charitable organisation for people with physical and learning difficulties. Through this, she brought much joy and pleasure into other people’s lives.

"Bethany had a wonderfully pleasant nature, with a love of nature, plants and animals.

"She will be sadly missed, but never forgotten, forever in our hearts and thoughts."