The trial of a man accused of murder arising from an incident at a town centre bar on a Saturday evening in the summer has been put back by almost a week.

As a result, the Crown has had to seek to extend the custody time limit for detaining defendant Richard Smith-Slater prior to the commencement of his trial.

The 33-year-old defendant denied a charge of murder, during a video-link appearance from prison, at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, in August.

It relates to the death of 61-year-old Craig Gill in hospital five days after the alleged confrontation at Blake’s Bar, on Beveridge Way, Newton Aycliffe, on Saturday July 8.

Read more: Man denies murder after Newton Aycliffe Blakes incident

The defendant was remanded to remain in custody pending a trial of “five-days-plus”, to be held at Teesside Crown Court, scheduled to start on Tuesday January 2, the first court sitting day after the Christmas/New Year break.

But the case came back into the list at Durham Crown Court this week, for a “mention”, observed by the defendant via the video link from the city's nearby prison.

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Paul Rooney, prosecuting, told the court: “The matter has been listed as the trial originally set to start on January 2 has been moved back to January 8 by the Recorder of Middlesbrough (Judge Paul Watson).

“As the custody time limit (ctl) expires on January 8, the Crown is seeking to put back that date.”

The Northern Echo: Deceased, Craig Gill, 61, was described as a 'quiet, gentle man, much loved by his family'

Mr Rooney asked for it to be extended to January 15, by which time it is hoped the trial will have concluded.

Robert Mochrie, representing the defendant, said he had no objection to the extension given that it was only one of seven days.

Read next:

Newton Aycliffe Blakes incident: Arrest as man remains seriously ill

Newton Aycliffe man dies after Blakes bar incident last week

Tributes paid after death of Newton Aycliffe man in Blakes

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Judge James Adkin said he considered the Crown has acted with “due diligence” in seeking the extension, given the start date for the trial being put back.

To ensure the hearing runs smoothly, he, therefore, agreed to the one-week extension to the ctl.

The defendant, of Bury Road, Newton Aycliffe, will, therefore, remain custody pending the new start date for the trial, of January 8.