A JUDGE expressed concerns that the trial of a 53-year-old man who denies the murder of a transgender woman in Droitwich, might not go ahead on a date already set.

Martin Saberi denied the murder of Amy Griffiths between January 11 and January 14 this year, when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on June 14.

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Amy Griffiths, was discovered dead at her flat in Chalverton Court, Droitwich, on January 14.

At that June hearing Saberi, who appeared via videolink from Broadmoor, also denied wounding with intent against a second alleged victim, Charlotte Taylor, and possession of an offensive weapon (a knife) in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse on January 11 this year. At that hearing the stage dates, when reports and evidence for the case needs to be disclosed by prosecution and defence, were set.

But yesterday Worcester Crown Court heard some stage dates had been missed in the weeks since.

Siobhan Collins, prosecuting, told the judge there had been a delay in providing the scientific evidence in relation to the head and throat injuries suffered by the victim.

Miss Collins said this was crucial evidence, as it would help build a proper chronology of events leading up to the death of the 51-year-old.

Miss Collins said this would be resolved, and the prosecution case would be served by this Friday.

Judge Robert Juckes QC raised that the date for the trial had been set for September 30, saying “we are very close to that”.

Adam Pearson, defending, said all that now remained was the possibility of a psychiatric report, but the judge said: “That would put the trial date at risk”.

Mr Pearson argued the defence had been waiting at other stages that had been missed, which had led to it “all being pushed back”.

The judge then said: “We have a pre-trial review on 20th September.

"That will be too late for a psychiatric report.

“I will say by 13th September, those issue should have been clarified.

“The defence should indicate what, if any, issues there are on the causation of death and whether there are any psychiatric issues and, if there is, to serve a psychiatric report.

“Then we will have some chance of making progress by the 20th.”

The hearing, held in court one, was not attended by Saberi, previously of Brackley Close, Wallington, Surrey.

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But the judge stressed Saberi should attend the pre-trial review on September 20, having earlier expressed he wanted to be there.

Saberi was remanded in custody.