A MAN accused of murdering a woman in North Yorkshire who went missing 14 years ago had his case adjourned yesterday after his solicitor asked for the charge not to be put to him.

Martin Bell was scheduled to have a plea and case management hearing at Leeds Crown Court but Ian Cook, representing him, said the defence team had not yet received the final psychiatric report on him.

Bell, 44, of St Leonard’s Crescent, Scarborough, is accused of murdering Gemma Simpson, 23, who vanished in May 2000 after telling a friend she was going to catch a bus from her home in Harehills to Leeds city centre.

The charge alleges that Bell murdered her at a flat in Knaresborough Road, Harrogate.

Bell was arrested in Scarborough in July this year.

He has admitted to police that he killed her and, following the information he gave, human remains identified as Gemma’s were subsequently discovered in the vicinity of Brimham Rocks, near Knaresborough.

Mr Cook told the court the defence psychiatrist had seen Bell twice but wanted a third consultation before his report is finalised.

The case was adjourned until Monday, December 15.

Bell was remanded in custody.