Trial date fixed but no plea taken from Newcastle murder accused

Yasim Ismael appeared at a short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court via video link from Durham Prison, where he is on remand.

He is accused of killing Beimnet Gebreab, at a property in the Arthur’s Hill area, on Monday (November 14).

Read more: Police investigating after man found dead in Newcastle

Police were called to the address in Dilston Road, at about 6am, where Mr Gebreab was found seriously wounded, with what police described as, “injuries consistent with having been caused by a bladed article.”

Despite the efforts of emergency services, the 49-year-old man was confirmed dead, at the scene.

The 38-year-old defendant, of Dilston Road, who is said to know the alleged victim, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Read more: Newcastle man arrested for murder after stabbing on Dilston Road

During today’s first hearing in the case at the crown court the defendant was assisted with the help of an interpreter in the Ethiopian language of Amharic.

Defence counsel Andrew Walker confirmed a psychiatrist has been identified with a view to compiling a medical report as to the defendant’s fitness to plead.

The Recorder of Newcastle, Judge Paul Sloan, identified a trial date, should it be required, suitable to both Mr Walker and prosecution counsel Kama Melly KC, with a start date on Tuesday May 2, next year.

Judge Sloan adjourned the case for a plea hearing at the court on Friday December 16, and, as no bail application was made by Mr Walker, he remanded the defendant to remain in custody in the meantime.

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