THE CARLISLE man accused of murdering Annan man Paul Taylor and attempting to murder a second man has been told his trial will begin on October 1.

Appearing today in person in the dock at the city’s crown court, 20-year-old Jack Crawley spoke only to confirm his identity before sitting silently throughout the hearing as lawyers discussed the forthcoming trial.

The defendant denies both allegations.

He has also formally pleaded not guilty to intentionally attempting to wound and cause grievous bodily harm to the second man - a charge that is an alternative to the attempted murder allegation.

A second Carlisle man, 20-year-old Marcus Goodfellow, denies "assisting an offender," the alleged murderer, by helping to dispose of a car. He appeared in the dock of Court Number Two alongside Crawley.

During the hearing, barrister David McLachlan KC represented the prosecution. Toby Hedworth KC represented Crawley. Judge Nicholas Barker agreed a timetable for various stages of the trial preparation process.

This included the serving of expert reports.

The judge agreed that there should be a further pre-trial review for the case to be held on September 16, though a decision on whether Crawley must attend that hearing in person will be determined nearer the day of the hearing.

The trial is expected to last for three to four weeks. After Judge Barker approved a timetable for various actions in the prosecution process, he adjourned the case until the hearing in mid September.

He remanded Crawley, of Sheehan Crescent, Carlisle, in custody and granted Goodfellow, of Greystone Road, Carlisle, conditional bail until the day of that hearing, which is expected to last half an hour.

The trial in October will be presided over by Mr Justice Goose KC.

During an earlier hearing, the court was told that Crown Prosecution Service lawyers expected to provide a post mortem report about the cause of Mr Taylor’s death on June 7. A final report on the post mortem results was not expected until August 7.

This follows police confirmation by police that human remains found at Finglandrigg Wood near Carlisle, off the B5307, on May 2, were those of Mr Taylor.

Detectives brought the murder charge following a lengthy investigation which began after Mr Taylor went missing on October 17 last year. At the time, he was aged 56.