Man admits stabbing nine-year-old brother to death but denies murder

During a brief hearing at Bradford Crown Court yesterday Daniel Taylor, 20, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jack Taylor on February 18 this year but guilty to his manslaughter.

The schoolboy was found with multiple stab wounds at a house in Rookes Avenue, Bradford, and was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary but was found to be dead.

Simon Bourne-Arton QC prosecuting told the court the Crown do not accept Taylor's plea at this stage. He told Judge James Goss QC the issue in the case was likely to be whether Taylor's responsibility was diminished at the time and a psychiatrist was now being instructed by the prosecution to consider the position.

The court heard a different psychiatrist is already preparing a report for the defence.

Taylor, of Richardson Avenue, Bradford, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit, also pleaded not guilty to wounding his sister Rachel, 18, with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm on the same date.

Members of his family sat in the public gallery during the proceedings.

A provisional trial date has already been set at the court for September 13 and the case was adjourned until a date to be fixed at Leeds Crown Court next month at the request of Abdul Iftikhar representing Taylor.

Remanding him in custody until that directions hearing, the judge told Taylor there would be no need for him to attend that hearing unless it was considered appropriate when he would be brought to court.

After his death Jack's family said the schoolboy, a keen Liverpool FC fan "lightened everybody's hearts.

"We all miss him so much – he's left a large gap in our family but he will be forever in our hearts and we have many lovely memories of him."