The trial of a North East student accused of the murder of a fellow undergraduate, earlier in this academic year, remains in place to be staged in mid-March.

Aaron Ray is accused of killing Jason Brockbanks at the Mansion Tyne student accommodation complex, in Newcastle, on September 27.

Police were called to the block, on Howard Steet, at 4.30pm that day amid concern for the welfare of Mr Brockbanks.

Despite the attention of emergency services, the 24-year-old Northumbria University student, from Whitehaven in Cumbria, was confirmed dead at the scene.

Read more: Jason Brockbanks murder: Sunderland man, 21, denies killing student

Mr Ray, who was swiftly arrested, was subsequently charged with Mr Brockbanks’ murder, which he denied at a plea hearing in the case at Newcastle Crown Court, in October.

A trial date was set at that hearing to start, at the court, on Tuesday, March 14, with a five-day time estimate.

Read more: Newcastle student murder: Sunderland man, 21, appears in court

The case was back at court for a further management hearing today (Thursday, January 5) when it was agreed that barring unexpected developments, the trial would remain in place to start on that day, despite some adjustments to the timetable for submission of evidence.

Today's hearing was told the defence is seeking expert evidence in three areas, medical, pathological and forensic, but none of those is expected to cause a delay to the trial starting on the agreed date.

A full defence statement is to be submitted to the court by Monday next week (January 9).

Read next:

              Man in court charged with murder of Northumbria University student

              Newcastle murder probe: Students relocated after man, 24, died

              Man arrested after 24-year-old dies at Newcastle student flats

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Judge Paul Sloan agreed to a prosecution request for up to five witnesses in the case to be allowed to give their evidence from behind screens or via a link, should they wish.

The 21-year-old defendant, of Mayfield Road, South Hylton, Sunderland, appeared for today’s hearing via video link from Durham Prison, where he is on remand.

Judge Sloan remanded him to remain in custody pending the trial when he will be brought to court.