Duckenfield applies for stay in Hillsborough trial

The Hillsborough match commander has launched a legal bid to halt his trial over the deaths of Liverpool fans in the 1989 disaster.

Applications to stop the prosecutions of David Duckenfield and five other men got under way yesterday as lawyers made submissions on their behalf to presiding judge Sir Peter Openshaw.

All six have applied to stay any prosecution over the disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans, as an “abuse of process”, while a number of separate applications to dismiss charges will be made.

The hearing, at Preston Crown Court, is expected to last up to 10 days.