TECHNICAL issues prevented a woman who stands accused of murdering her mum from entering her plea.

Jessica Crane did not formally enter her plea to the charge at Worcester Crown Court yesterday as scheduled because no remote live link could be established to the secure hospital where she is being kept.

We reported in March how Crane appeared over videolink at the court from HMP Eastwood Park accused of the fatal stabbing of 69-year-old Janet Mason.

Efforts were made by the court clerk but no link could be secured so the case had to be adjourned.

Judge James Burbidge QC adjourned the case until Monday, September 13 this year so that the plea and preparation hearing can be heard then instead.

The 49-year-old defendant of Hillside Close, Worcester, is accused of murder following the death of Ms Mason in Green Lane, off Rainbow Hill on March 9.

The case was prosecuted by Richard Atkins QC, who appeared over live link, while Crane was represented by Nicholas Berry who appeared in person at court.

On the last occasion the defendant appeared on a screen in court three, wearing a Covid mask and spoke only to confirm her name and that she could hear clearly.

Mr Berry said on the last occasion: “We wish to explore the mental health of Miss Crane by the commissioning of a psychiatric report.”

Enquiries have already been made with Dinesh Maganty, a consultant forensic psychiatrist who was due to see the defendant on April 29 this year.

The delay represents a further adjournment - a plea and trial preparation hearing was identified for June 7 but did not go ahead.

Judge Burbidge, who described the case as an ‘internal family issue’, asked for a summary of the issues in the case and added: “There is no contest that it was your lay client who caused the death?”

Mr Berry answered ‘no’.

A trial date of January 31 next year was also remains. Any trial is expected to last two weeks.