Apology for family of attack victim as sentence is delayed

James Spencer has already admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after 65-year-old Peter Green died from multiple injuries at a house in Lidgett Lane, Skelmanthorpe.

During an altercation at the house, Spencer pushed Mr Green down a flight of stairs before hitting him with a spanner and stabbing him.

The 25-year-old was due to be sentenced at Bradford Crown Court yesterday, but late on Tuesday afternoon it emerged that the defendant's barrister would not be available for the hearing.

Barrister Peter Moulson, who had been asked to stand in, apologised to Mr Green's family for the distress that the further delay would cause.

The Honorary Recorder of Bradford Judge James Stewart QC told the victim's family that because the plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility had been agreed the only disposal open to the court was an order under the Mental Health Act for the defendant's detention in a hospital.

The only outstanding issue is the terms of the hospital order which means the court will hear from two psychiatrists when Spencer is sentenced on May 27.