Murder accused had a horseshoe in train station attack, court told

‘Thomas was the life and soul of the party – his thoughtfulness touched the lives of everyone’

A MAN was killed on a train station platform by an attacker brandishing a horseshoe, a judge heard.

Thomas Parker, 24, suffered fatal injuries after he was assaulted at Reading station on Saturday night.

Kirkpatrick Virgo, 42, appeared yesterday before a senior judge at Reading Crown Court, via a video link from prison where he is on remand. No application for bail was made.

Judge Heather Norton heard that Virgo had been charged with one count of murdering Mr Parker, who was from Reading, Berks, and a second count of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a horseshoe. He has not yet entered a plea to either charge.

A post mortem examination is to be carried out on the victim’s body tomorrow to ascertain the exact cause of his death.

The plea and trial preparation hearing, where Virgo, from Slough, Berks, will either admit or deny the charges, will take place on Sept 5 at Reading Crown Court with the provisional trial date of Jan 9 next year.

Mr Parker’s family issued a statement about their son as his alleged attacker stood in court.

They said: “Tom was a very kind, thoughtful and caring son. He was dedicated to his parents, brothers, grandparents, family and friends.

“He was popular, loving, funny, and hardworking. He was the life and soul of the party. His kindness and thoughtfulness touched the lives of everyone.”