Man charged with Rhiannon Skye Whyte’s murder refuses to appear at court

On Thursday, Charlie Crinon, defending, said Mr Majek had refused to speak to him through an interpreter before the hearing, because he did not know who he was.

Judge Michael Chambers KC said he would proceed with the case as if the defendant would be contesting the charges.

“It is important that you have a proper conference and that, like any defendant, he has full confidence in his representation,” he told Mr Crinon.

“I am not in a position to give a trial date this morning.”

Mr Majek was remanded in custody, with a further hearing set for 13 December.

In a statement after her death, Ms Whyte’s family, who were with her when she died, said she was “selfless” and “brave” and “always there for anyone who needed it”.

A trial is due to start in April 2025.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC said it was expected to last between five and seven days.