Hucknall murder trial may be delayed over funding problems

The trial of a Hucknall woman accused of murdering her boyfriend looks set to be delayed because of funding problems.

Ellishia Allen, 28, was due to appear before Nottingham Crown Court this week but was unable to because of health issues.

Allen, of Spruce Grove, is accused of killing 39-year-old Karl Bloxham in July of last year at the address where they both lived.

But during the short hearing today, Wednesday, March 9, her defence barrister, Steven Coupland, said there had been problems in securing legal aid for Miss Allen and the initial trial date of May 23 now looked unlikely.

He told the court that a report was required for the defendant, but the money required to pay for the report had twice been rejected by legal aid - a public purse for those unable to afford legal costs.

In response, Judge Gregory Dickinson QC said: “The report is absolutely essential the progress of the case. It’s all wrong.

“It’s difficult to understand any good reason for it.”

For the Crown Prosecution Service, Michael Auty QC, added: “It seems to me ludicrous to what amounts to a few pounds.”

Allen has been held on remand since she was arrested by police in July.

She was initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, but was later charged with Mr Bloxham’s murder after he died hours later.

She had been due to appear via videolink today for a simple plea and case management hearing, but the court was told that she had been taken ill with a long-standing kidney problem.

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