A MAN who is due to go on trial charged with offences connected to the death of Luke Jobson has failed to appear at court.

Edwin Taha was listed to appear at Teesside Crown Court ahead of his trial later this month but did not turn up.

The 20-year-old, of Lavender Way, Norton, is one of five people who were charged by police surrounding the death of the popular Thornaby 22-year-old, Luke Jobson.

Mr Jobson went missing following a night out in Yarm last January.

His body was later recovered from the River Tees a few days later.

The Northern Echo: Luke JobsonLuke Jobson

Four men, including Taha, are awaiting trial in connection with the investigation.

A teenager, who was 17-years-old at the time of his sentencing so cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced on Wednesday, June 24 after pleading guilty affray.

Judge Jonathan Carroll adjourned the case until Tuesday, September 8, to give Taha the opportunity to attend court to face a non-compliance mention hearing ahead of the trial.

The Northern Echo: Edwin TahaEdwin Taha

Hi co-accused, Ryan Alpay, 19, of Duneside, Elm Tree, Stockton, denies affray - using or threatening unlawful violence.

Ali Abdulmajieed, 19, of Corvus Drive, central Stockton, pleaded not guilty to affray - using or threatening unlawful violence.

Hammad Asif, 18, of Osborne Road, Stockton, denies affray.

  • The trial is listed to start at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, September 28.