Libby Squire murder trial delayed until 2021 due to coronavirus crisis

The trial of a man accused of murdering student Libby Squire has been adjourned until next year due to the Covid-19 crisis.
By Grace Hammond
Published 20th May 2020, 13:13 BST
Updated 20th May 2020, 13:14 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Pawel Relowicz made a brief appearance at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday, where a judge fixed his trial date for January 11, 2021.

The 25-year-old had been due to stand trial next month but Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, the Honorary Recorder of Sheffield, said the delay was necessary to avoid further adjournments.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Relowicz was charged by Humberside Police with raping and murdering Hull University student Miss Squire in October last year.

The trial into the death of Libby Squire will now take place in 2021.The trial into the death of Libby Squire will now take place in 2021.
The trial into the death of Libby Squire will now take place in 2021.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it www.facebook.com/groups/yorkshirecoronavirusThe defendant is alleged to have murdered her on February 1, and to have committed the rape between January 31 and February 1.

Relowicz appeared via video-link for a short hearing with the assistance of a Polish interpreter.

On Wednesday, Judge Richardson QC told Relowicz: “Because of the Covid-19 crisis, your trial in June must be adjourned. It has been adjourned to Monday January 11, 2021.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I am sorry it is such a long way away but it has to be because this is a serious matter. If I have it any earlier then there is a risk it would have to be further adjourned.”

Miss Squire, 21, disappeared near her home in Hull, where she was studying philosophy, in the early hours of February 1, prompting a huge search.

Hundreds of uniformed officers took part in the operation, as well as search specialists, dog-handlers and police divers.

The body of Miss Squire, who was originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was recovered from the Humber Estuary on March 20, nearly seven weeks after she disappeared following an evening out with friends.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Relowicz was remanded in custody and was told by the judge that he will appear again via video-link for a pre-trial hearing on November 30.

------------------------

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor