Man appears in court charged over death of Leeds postman 20 years ago

Anthony John McDonnell, 45, appeared before magistrates in Leeds today charged with the unlawful killing of Andrew Batten.

Mr Batten died after being assaulted in Leeds city centre on Friday, October 13, 1995.

Father-of-four McDonnell, of Whitebridge Avenue, Halton, Leeds, appeared in the dock of the court wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans.

The heavily built, tattooed defendant spoke only to to confirm his name, age and address during a brief hearing and bail application.

The court heard Mr Batten, 42, died after being attacked while queuing for a taxi on Vicar Lane in 1995.

He was found on the pavement by an ambulance crew after an anonymous call but died from head injuries in hospital two days after the incident.

The court heard McDonnell handed himself in at Elland Road police station after recent police appeal for fresh information.

No pleas to the charge were entered and the case was committed to Leeds Crown Court, where he will appear for a preliminary hearing on November 20.

McDonnell was granted bail with conditions that he must live and sleep at his home address and be subject to curfew between the hours of 6pm and 6am each day.

He must also report daily to Elland Road police station.