Plea expected over 2020 canal murder case

A man charged with the murder of a 48-year-old whose body was found in a canal more than five years ago is expected to enter a plea next month.

Cain Watson, 32, was not produced for his first appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday after being charged in connection with the death of Darren Round.

Mr Round's body was discovered on 15 February 2020, near Masshouse Lane in Kings Norton, Birmingham. Police said he had suffered facial injuries.

The court hearing, in front of Judge Simon Drew KC, went ahead in Mr Watson's absence after his counsel said there would be no application for bail on behalf of the defendant. A date for a plea and trial preparation hearing was set for 15 January.

The judge heard that a trial, which was provisionally set for June, could last more than three weeks because of the amount of CCTV and medical evidence to be heard in the case.

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