A teenager accused of the murder of Tomasz Oleszak, in Gateshead, last month, is yet to plead in the case, as the outcome of medical reports on him is still awaited.
The 14-year-old boy is alleged to have carried out the attack on Tomasz, in an incident near Whitehills Nature Park, on Springwell Estate, on the evening of Monday, October 3.
Tomasz died from the injuries he suffered in hospital early the following morning.
The defendant appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on October 10, when defence counsel Peter Makepeace KC told the hearing that the defence team had already instructed a psychiatrist to produce a report to consider if the defendant is fit to plead.
Judge Paul Sloan, The Recorder of Newcastle, adjourned the hearing until today (Tuesday, November 8), when the defendant once again appeared at the court.
Read more: Tomasz Oleszak: Teenager, 14, appears in court charged with murder
But today's hearing was told the result of the medical report is still awaited and so the charge was, again, not put to the defendant.
A trial date, has, however been fixed as a contingency, starting at the court on Tuesday, March 21, next year, with a two-week time estimate.
Mark McKone KC, for the Crown, said there were nine young witnesses in the case and he was confident they could all give evidence in the first week if a trial is required.
Judge Sloan adjourned the case until a further pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, January 11, by which time it is hoped the medical assessment of the defendant’s fitness to plead will have been concluded.
He told the 14-year-old: “I’m adjourning your case for a further pre-trial hearing.
“That will be on January 11. That’s the next court hearing and you will be brought to court for that hearing.
“If you are fit to plead to the charge you face you will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
“If you are fit you will be required to provide a defence statement.
“That document must be detailed and if not detailed enough an inference could be drawn against you.”
Read more: Tomasz Oleszak: Footballers pay tribute to Gateshead teenager
Judge Sloan warned the defendant if he refused to attend the court the trial could take place in his absence.
He remanded him to remain in youth detention accommodation in the meantime.
The death of Tomasz, a well-like teenager among friends at both Gateshead’s Cardinal Hume Catholic School and teammates at Gateshead Cleveland Hall CA FC, sparked an outpouring of grief, with a candlelit vigil staged at Springwell Community Association, in Gateshead, several days later.
A minute’s silence took place before all matches involving Gateshead Cleveland Hall CA teams the following Sunday, while on the same day a special mass was staged in his memory, attended by members of his family, taken by Fr Joseph Zielinski, at St Oswald’s Church, Wrekenton, Gateshead.
Read next:
Gateshead stabbing: First picture of Tomasz Oleszak, 14, released
Tomasz Oleszak: Gateshead family speak out for first time after son's death
Tomasz Oleszak: Vigil to be held in Gateshead after stabbing
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