THE TRIAL of two people accused of helping the killers of Didcot dad Darren MacCormick will now stand trial next summer.

The five-day trial was first meant to be heard in May, but had to be adjourned.

On Monday, Judge Ian Pringle KC told the barristers for Aiysha Lazereg and Zarahn Zaman, both 21, that the trial would have to be put back a second time for lack of court time. The judge, who dealt with the trial of the two teenagers convicted of killing Mr MacCormick, is currently hearing a long-running murder trial. 

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He fixed the trial to start on June 19. Neither of the defendants were in court for the short, five minute hearing.

Prosecutors claim the pair helped Didcot killers Brookton Lagan and Taison Cyrille after the fatal stabbing of dad-of-three Mr MacCormick on January 9, 2020. 

They are said to have assisted Lagan and Cyrille - both currently serving life sentences - between January 8 and 11 last year by giving them clothing, money and travel documents. 

It is also alleged that Zaman also bought a mobile phone that was in Lagan’s possession at the time of Mr MacCormick’s murder. The killer is said to have retained and used the device between January 8 and February 5 last year. 

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Lagan and Cyrille are currently serving life sentences after they were found guilty in 2020 of Mr MacCormick’s murder.  

Zaman, of Fullers Slade, Milton Keynes, denies assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice. Lazereg, of Downhead Park, Milton Keynes, has pleaded not guilty to a single count of assisting an offender. 

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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

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward