AN inmate accused of attempting to murder a prison officer is set to make his latest court appearance this week, more than three years since his original trial had meant to go ahead.
David Bieber, also known as Nathan Coleman, is accused of attempting to murder Alison Smith at HMP Long Lartin.
The 55-year-old originally denied the attempted murder of Alison Smith, wounding her with intent to do her grievous bodily harm and unauthorised possession in prison of a knife or offensive weapon (a pronged metal bar), when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court back in 2019.
The charges relate to an incident in HMP Long Lartin, South Littleton, Evesham, on October 10, 2017.
But the case has been heavily delayed. Trial dates set for May 2019, November 2019, and April 2020 have all been missed.
In February 2020, Judge Robert Juckes voiced his frustrations at the delays of the case.
In that court hearing Judge Juckes explained Bieber had been given permission to transfer his legal aid so he could be represented by another firm of solicitors, which led to him being represented by barrister Jeremy Hayes. But, the judge said, Bieber then asked Mr Hayes no longer represent him, asking for a second transfer of legal aid to another solicitors firm.
The judge said then: “I cannot possibly grant another transfer (of legal aid). He (Mr Bieber) will have to represent himself.”
David Bieber, aka Nathan Coleman's psychiatric report was out of date
The April 2020 trial date was postponed then rescheduled for the week of February 22 last year, but Judge Nicholas Cartwright was later forced to vacate that trial date due to a number of still unresolved issues at that time.
Among them had been issues surrounding Bieber's legal representation as, although he is representing himself, a barrister needed to be appointed for cross examination of witnesses, as legally the defendant is not allowed to do this himself.
READ MORE: Attempted murder trial scheduled for next week is delayed for third time
Judge Cartwright also heard then had also been issues with the examination of the weapon, and that Bieber would need a new psychiatric report as, due to the delays, a previous one was out of date.
The next hearing of the case is scheduled to be held at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, (May 3), listed as a 'for mention' hearing.
A note says the hearing will be held by Judge Cartwright, and transfer of legal aid will again be discussed.
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