A PROVISIONAL trial date has been fixed for next year for two people accused of murdering a man in York who died two years after an alleged attack.

Andrew Fowler, 42 of Monkton Road, off Malton Road, York, and Amanda Jane Moran, 28, of St John’s Terrace, Leeds appeared at Leeds Crown Court yesterday for a ten-minute preliminary hearing.

They are accused of causing head injuries to Stephen John Eastwood on 27 March, 2012, in Lawrence Street.

Mr Eastwood, from Acomb, died on May 12 this year, aged 49. The prosecution claim he had not recovered from his injuries.

Bryan Cox QC, prosecuting, said the Crown would serve papers on both defence teams and a plea and case management hearing was fixed for December 15. Judge Geoffrey Marson QC heard the estimated length of the trial was around two weeks and set a provisional trial date of March 9. He told counsel he would have to prepare a document for the presiding judge on the circuit about whether it was a case that needed to be heard by a High Court judge or could be heard by a circuit judge.

Remanding Fowler and Moran in custody, he told them: “At the moment your trial will take place on March 9, a plea and case management hearing has been arranged for December 15 and by that date there must be a defence case statement signed by each of you.”

Neither Richard Wright QC, representing Moran, nor Alex Menary, for Fowler, applied for bail.