Morecambe man denies murdering Heysham pensioner in fire three years ago
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During a case management hearing at Preston Crown Court .Tiernan Darnton, 20, of The Promenade, Morecambe - who is a relative - pleaded not guilty to a charge of murdering the pensioner.
It was originally believed Mary had died accidentally after her home in Levens Drive, Heysham, caught fire due to a discarded cigarette end three years ago.
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But a police investigation resumed in 2019 when detectives received "vital new information".
Judge Simon Medland QC set a provisional date of November 1 for his trial, which is expected to last for around two weeks, and said it was a "sensitive and complex case".
Darnton, who is a relative of the victim, has been remanded into custody since March.
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Hide AdHis defence lawyer applied for bail but Judge Medland QC refused the application citing substantial grounds for believing he could interfere with prosecution witnesses.
(proceeding)
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