Leeds tower-block murder trial halted after defendant falls ill
Accused unable to attend for two consecutive days
A murder trial at Leeds Crown Court has been delayed due to the defendant falling ill.
Scott Silkstone is accused of murdering Dwayne Tuohey on New Year’s Day in Burmantofts.
But 51-year-old Silkstone has so far been unable to attend for the second week of his trial, giving the judge little option but to adjourn it both yesterday and today.
The jury were sent home this afternoon after being told that there had been some improvement to Silkstone’s condition, but he was still unwell. He remains on remand in HMP Leeds.
It is hoped he will respond to treatment and be fit for the trial to re-start again tomorrow.
The trial was expected to be concluded by today, with hopes it will be completed before the end of the week.
Homeless Silkstone is accused of killing amputee Dwayne Tuohey at Gargrave Court on the morning of New Year’s Day.
Police were called at shortly after 8am to say a man’s body was lying outside the front entrance with another man stood over him.
Mr Tuohey, 55, died a short time later from multiple injuries including a bleed to the brain, broken bones and damage to his heart and intestines.
The jury has been told that Silkstone and Mr Tuohey knew each other and both had long-standing drug addictions.
She said Mr Tuohey had a leg removed in 2006 and used crutches to get about.
Shocking footage from the elevator and lobby of the block of flats was played to the jury that showed Mr Tuohey’s lifeless body being dragged outside.
He was found a short time later. Silkstone was arrested a few streets away, having gone to the shop to buy a milkshake.