Date for murder trial ‘not in jeopardy’

Nathaniel Flynn, 26, who is also charged with attacking a 59-year-old man with an iron bar in an separate incident, appeared before Bradford Crown Court today via a video link to Wakefield Prison, where he is currently remanded in custody.

Flynn was arrested in July by West Yorkshire Police investigating the attack in a Shipley skate park on the boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons. Officers also discovered the body of 84-year-old retired teacher Louisa Denby at her home in Prospect Mount, Shipley.

Mrs Denby, described by neighbours as “everyone’s grandma”, had suffered a number of stab wounds and the schoolboy, who was treated at Leeds General Infirmary, had been stabbed twice.

Flynn, who lived at the same address as Mrs Denby, spoke only to confirm his name and that he could hear the proceedings clearly during yesterday’s 25-minute hearing before the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas.

Most of the hearing was taken up with discussions about the medical evidence and experts’ reports, but the judge did raise a concern about whether Flynn’s trial would still be able to take place on December 2 as planned.

“We are as confident as we can be that the date is not in jeopardy,” said prosecutor Adrian Waterman.

The judge said a plea and case management hearing when Flynn would be asked to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges would now take place on November 15. Flynn has been charged with the murder of Mrs Denby, the attempted murder of the schoolboy and possession of an offensive weapon and assault in relation to the alleged attack on the 59-year-old man.