Birmingham bus stop murder accused could face trial next year

A man accused of murdering a woman who was stabbed in the neck in Birmingham could face a trial in May.

Djeison Rafael appeared at Birmingham Crown Court via video link from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, charged with the murder of Katie Fox.

The 34-year-old was stabbed on Smallbrook Queensway shortly before 21:00 GMT on 7 November and later died in hospital.

Wearing a grey jumper, Mr Rafael, 21, spoke only to confirm his name during the 15-minute hearing in front of Judge Simon Drew.

He sat forward during the hearing, getting up briefly at one point before returning to his seat.

Prosecution counsel Michael Brady said the trial, expected to last two weeks, would be heard in front of a High Court judge and a date was set for 5 May.

The court heard psychiatric reports would need to be gathered before a trial began and the defendant was told by the judge he would next need to appear to enter pleas.

The judge said: “Mr Rafael, I am adjourning your case and it will next be listed on 16 January.

“You can attend by prison video link from whatever prison you are in. I know you have recently been transferred.”

As well as the murder of Ms Fox, Mr Rafael, of Rosedale Avenue in Smethwick, is also charged with two counts of causing actual bodily harm on 27 October and 7 November, as well as possession of a Stanley blade on 7 November and assaulting a detention escort officer on 8 November.

West Midlands Police has appealed for information from anyone who knows more about what happened.