Separate Hillsborough trials rejected

17 July 2018, 13:22 | Updated: 17 July 2018, 13:25

An application to separate the joint trial of ex-Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell and Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been rejected.

On Tuesday, lawyers for Mackrell, 68, argued his case for alleged offences in connection with the 1989 disaster should be heard by a different jury.

But the application to sever was turned down at Preston Crown Court by Sir Peter Openshaw and both men will stand trial together at the same court, as scheduled, on January 14 next year.

Mackrell is charged with an offence involving the stadium safety certificate and a health and safety offence.

Duckenfield, 73, is accused of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supporters following the crush in the terrace pens at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday's ground at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989.

Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused.

Both defendants are set to enter their pleas at a pre-trial hearing at Preston on September 10.