Men in court over murder in Scarborough

A trial date has been provisionally fixed for March 20 next year in the case of two men accused of murdering another in a flat in Scarborough.
Murder chargeMurder charge
Murder charge

One of the defendants, Clifford Honeyman, 42of no fixed address pleaded not guilty at Leeds Crown Court today (Wednesday) to the murder of Richard Ian Walker, known as Ricky on or about October 20 this year.

The charge was not put to the second accused man Andrew Thomas Stevenson, 39 also of no fixed address, at the request of his defence barrister who said they were awaiting a report.

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The body of Mr Walker, 50, was found at an address in Princess Street.

Richard WalkerRichard Walker
Richard Walker

Honeyman also denied two charges of robbery which were also denied by a third defendant Stephen Atkinson, 54 of Oxcliff, Scarborough. Those charges were also not put to Stevenson.

Those charges allege robbing one man of a bank card between October 11-14 and robbing a second man of a watch and a bank card between 12-15 October.

Another hearing was fixed for February 17 for further issues to be considered. Paul Greaney QC prosecuting who appeared over a video link from Newcastle Crown Court said the trial was expected to last between two to three weeks.

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The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC provisionally arranged the trial to begin on March 20 but after hearing that date was not possible for two defence counsel said if all three defendants agreed an application could be made to move it to start later outside the custody time limits.

Richard WalkerRichard Walker
Richard Walker

All three defendants were remanded in custody. The judge told them: “We have set the timetable now to bring this case to trial. For the moment it is fixed for 20 March, you have heard me explain the circumstances in which the court would be willing to move that date, I need to hear quite soon from those representing you and you all must agree to it.”

He also told them defence case statements must be submitted by February 7.