Trial date set for man charged with dad's murder

2 hours ago

Stanley Smith was found dead at his home in Silloth on 22 December

Cumbria Police A picture of Stanley Smith. He is smiling and is wearing a blue bucket hat with the words Sergio Tacchini written on in white lettering. He appears as though he is on holiday in a park. A stone lion is behind him. He has a small stud earring and wears a white T-shirt. The straps of a black backpack can also be seen. — Stanley Smith was found dead at his home in Silloth on 22 December

A provisional trial date has been set for a man accused of murdering his father just before Christmas.

Brian James Stanley Smith, 33, of Acredales, Abbeytown, in Cumbria, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court earlier, charged with the murder of 73-year-old Stanley Smith.

Police were called to Fell Close, in Silloth, on 22 December at about 05:35 GMT where they discovered his body.

Mr Smith entered no plea but will be expected to enter one at the same court on 23 February. A provisional trial date has been set for 20 July.

The court was told that his father's death was due to strangulation, according to an initial preliminary opinion of a pathologist.

However, Judge Nicholas Barker, who presided over the hearing, stated that there would still need to be a "full and thorough" investigation into the cause of death.

Mr Smith remains remanded in custody.

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.