The trial of a man accused of stabbing his piano-playing housemate to death has been put back to next year.

Eugen Coman’s trial for murdering Leonid Laboshin, 31, in their Pinnocks Way home in Botley last October had been due to start at the end of November. It was to follow another murder trial currently being heard at Oxford Crown Court.

But after hearing submissions from prosecutor Charles Ward-Jackson and defence advocate Tana Adkin KC this morning, Judge Ian Pringle KC took the trial out of the list.

The case is expected to be heard in the early part of next year. A trial date will be fixed on December 5, when the matter will be back in front of Judge Pringle for a mention hearing.

Both Mr Ward-Jackson and Ms Adkin appeared in court via video link. Coman, 34, was not present for the hearing.

Prosecutors say Coman was responsible for stabbing Mr Laboshin multiple times on October 17 last year at the house they shared in Botley, before he drove to Witney armed with knives.

In a tribute paid following the Russian-born man's death, his family said he had taught himself English and come to Oxford to work as an IT programmer on the ‘timely detection of cancer’.

“He was a caring and loving son, brother and uncle. He loved to play guitar and learnt to play the violin and piano. He loved music,” they said.

Neighbours in Pinnock Way said Mr Laboshin was a talented pianist.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

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