THE family of a man who died following a robbery in Upper Stratton face a near six-month wait to find out what charges the assailant will answer.

Paul Tony Warren has already admitted robbery, after Martin Brown had his wallet and its contents stolen from him on Meadowcroft late in the evening of January 27.

The next morning, at roughly 6am, he was found on nearby Beechcroft Road with “very serious” injuries, and was rushed to hospital before he “very quickly” deteriorated. He died on February 7.

Warren had been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but investigations are now underway to ascertain how the victim, from the Penhill area, sustained his injuries.

That report and a decision on whether the charge should change was due to have been completed by Tuesday (May 24), but prosecutor Rob Welling told the court that there had been a delay.

“There is only one person in the country who can do the necessary forensic work in relation to Martin Brown. Everything has gone to that person in time, but if there is only one person who can do that kind of work, there will be inevitable delays.”

He urged Judge Jason Taylor QC not to sentence Warren for robbery, as they will not know the facts on which he would fall to be sentenced for that charge.

Judge Taylor adjourned the case for a further hearing on November 4.

“Hopefully then we might be in a position to know the best way forward,” he said.