A MAN accused of a public order offence at a court hearing about Jayden Parkinson urged magistrates yesterday to begin his trial.

Ryan McCann, 24, said he wanted the hearing, which has now been postponed to July 23, to take place so he could ‘better support’ Jayden’s family.

Jayden, 17, was missing for more than two weeks before her body was found in a grave at All Saints Church, Didcot.

McCann is alleged to have said something threatening to a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at Oxford Crown Court on March 20.

The unnamed 17-year-old admits perverting the course of justice but denies preventing a lawful burial.

McCann, of Royal Berkshire Court, Didcot, denies using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, which had been postponed from June 12, was put back due to lack of time.

McCann was released on conditional bail.

Speaking in court, he said: “I carried her coffin, she was my sister’s best mate and all this is happening to me and every night I am just worrying. I am trying to be strong for her family as well, I see them every day.

“I want it to be done so I can be strong for them.”

Chairman of the bench Richard Freeth said: “Unfortunately, we are going to adjourn this matter.

“If we proceed we would end up with a part-heard trial which would draw it out.”

Ben Blakeley, formerly of Christchurch Road, Reading, admits Jayden’s manslaughter and perverting the course of justice but denies murder and is on trial at Oxford Crown Court.

  • Our top stories: