Accused denies killing man, 20
TWO MEN CHARGED WITH MURDER OF HARRY SINGH
MURDER accused Paul Leighton has denied killing Harry Singh.
The 20-year-old was found with serious injuries in Gateshead in January and died on the way to hospital.
Two men – Leighton and John Knox – are accused of murdering Mr Singh.
At Newcastle Crown Court, both accused appeared on a video-link to prison, where they are remanded in custody.
Leighton pleaded not guilty to murder while the charge was not put to Knox.
A provisional trial date was listed in July with a ten-day time estimate.
Judge Paul Sloan QC told them: “I’m going to adjourn your case now to another pre-trial hearing.
“By that date, each of you should have provided a defence case statement – a document setting out in detail your defence to this charge.
“Your legal teams will be through to see you to help prepare that document.
“You should understand, if you have committed any offence arising out of this allegation, the sooner that is communicated to the court, the better for you, the longer it’s left, the worse for you.”
Mr Singh, from Coniston Place, in Gateshead, was found with serious injuries on Sheriff’s Row, Gateshead, at around 11.30pm on Friday, January 26. He died while being taken by paramedics to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Leighton, 37, of Springfield Place, Gateshead, and Knox, 29, of Beacon Court, also Gateshead, were further remanded in custody until the next hearing, which will be in either April or May.