A man charged with stabbing a father-of-two to death at a Poundland on Monday this week has today been told he will face a five-day trial if he pleads not guilty.
Trevor Joyce, 36, appeared at Oxford Crown Court this morning via a video link from jail.
Wearing a brightly-coloured jacket he spoke only to confirm his name.
After being charged on Tuesday with the fatal stabbing of 61-year-old antique prints dealer Justin Skrebowski at Poundland in Abingdon, he listened this morning as barristers set out a timetable for his criminal case.
Joyce, of Franklyn Close, Abingdon, heard he will not have to enter a plea until a hearing at the same court on March 7.
In the meantime, Judge Zoe Smith asked for his defence team to prepare a psychiatric report, to help decide whether he is actually fit to stand trial.
If he pleads not guilty and is judged fit to stand trial, he faces a five-day ordeal in front of a jury starting on June 6, Judge Smith said.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article