10:28am Saturday 13th March 2010
THE trial date for a couple accused of locking up a middle-aged man overnight and robbing him has been set provisionally for August 23.
Judge Jim Spencer QC set the date at York Crown Court at a preliminary hearing for Joanne Crossman, 29, and Rocky Parker, 27. Both are alleged to have used a hockey stick and a knife against arthritis patient Vincent Powell, in his fifties, in Crossman’s flat in Station Road, New Earswick, last month.
Crossman was not in court for the hearing as she was in a prison van driving from Low Newton Women’s Prison near Durham where she is being held on remand. The judge agreed to hear the case in her absence. Parker, of Barkston Avenue, Acomb, who is being held in a prison near York, did appear in court.
Both he and Crossman were remanded in custody until a plea and case management hearing on June 4. At that hearing, both will be required to enter their plea to charges of false imprisonment, robbery and theft. Parker will also have to plea to charges of theft and using violence to get into a house and driving while disqualified.
He is alleged to have gone to Mr Powell’s house eight days after the initial encounter, forced his way in and stolen money.
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