Declan Lancaster on trial of murder of Patryk Mortimer sees trial delayed

The trial of a man accused of murder after a fatal fire has been delayed.
Patryk Mortimer and the scene of the fire.Patryk Mortimer and the scene of the fire.
Patryk Mortimer and the scene of the fire.

Patryk Mortimer, who was 39, lost his life in a blaze at Manor House premises, a former care home on High Street, Easington Lane, Sunderland, on November 3, 2018, where he was a tenant.

Declan Lancaster, 23, of no fixed address, been charged with his murder and was due to face trial later this month.

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But during a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court this morning, the trial start date has now been put back until May 10.

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.

Lancaster will be back in court for a further hearing on April 6.

The case has previously been set a provisional trial date of February 23.

Judge Paul Sloan QC remanded him in custody in the meantime.

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Nine others managed to escape the fire, which started in the early hours of the morning, but tragically 39-year-old Mr Mortimer was unable to make it out.

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