Man accused of Bridlington guest house murder remanded in custody

John Heald, 53, is charged with 10 offences of rape in South Yorkshire on July 13 2014 and the murder of Bei Carter of the Morayland guest house in Bridlington on Friday 18 July.

Mr Heald, of Foljambe Road, Rotherham, made a 15-minute appearance before Judge Jeremy Richardson, QC, the most senior judge at Hull Crown Court today, Friday 8 August.

The charges were not put to him, which is normal at this stage. The case was fast-tracked from East Riding Magistrates’ Court.

Grey-haired Mr Heald, who was represented by barrister Steve Smith, wore a blue sweat shirt and blue trousers.

Senior Crown advocate Phillip Evans said the Crown would disclose its case by Friday 10 October and the defence should give notification of its witnesses by October 21. He said a plea and case management hearing would take place on Friday 31 October.

Judge Richardson, QC, ordered Heald to stand as he told him: “It is very important you co-operate fully with your defence statement. In the mean time you will be remanded in custody.

“You will next be back before the court in October when pleas will be taken and we will see where we go then.”

Mr Heald, who was arrested at Parkgate in Rotherham on Friday 25 July, was remanded in custody.