Declan Lancaster appears in court charged with murder of Patryk Mortimer in 2018

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a Polish chef in Sunderland almost two years ago.
By Gareth Crickmer
Published 9th Oct 2020, 12:00 BST
The fire happened at the former Manor House care home. Right: Patryk MortimerThe fire happened at the former Manor House care home. Right: Patryk Mortimer
The fire happened at the former Manor House care home. Right: Patryk Mortimer

Declan Lancaster, 23, is accused of killing Patryk Mortimer, 39, on November 3, 2018.

Mr Mortimer died in hospital after a fire in a building that was previously the Manor House Care Home, in Easington Lane, and where he lived.

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Lancaster appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court via video link from HMP Holme House for the five minute hearing.

Police outside the former Manor House Care Home following the death of a man in a fire in the early hours of Saturday.Police outside the former Manor House Care Home following the death of a man in a fire in the early hours of Saturday.
Police outside the former Manor House Care Home following the death of a man in a fire in the early hours of Saturday.

The murder charge was read to Lancaster by District Judge Natalie Wortley, but no plea was entered.

Prosecutor Clare Irving opposed bail, which was not applied for by Lancaster’s solicitor Greg Flaxen.

Mrs Irving said: “I would be grateful if you would send the matter to the crown court.”

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Judge Wortley told Lancaster, whose address was given as HMP Holme House: “Mr Lancaster, you are being sent to the crown court.”

Lancaster will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, November 6.

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