A 19-year-old accused of murdering Annan man Paul Taylor has made his second court appearance.
Jack Ryan Crawley has been charged as part of an ongoing police investigation into the disappearance of 56-year-old Mr Taylor.
He was last seen leaving his address at around 9.45pm on October 17 last year, and is believed to have travelled to Carlisle in a blue Vauxhall Corsa just before midnight.
Police say Mr Taylor’s body has yet to be recovered.
Crawley faces one charge which alleges that he murdered Mr Taylor on October.
The teenager appeared remotely at Carlisle Crown Court this morning, over a prison video link.
During a 15-minute administrative preliminary hearing in front of Judge Nicholas Barker, Crawley spoke to state his full name, date of birth and to confirm that he could hearing proceedings clearly over the link.
No plea was entered to the allegation by Crawley, who was represented by barrister Toby Hedworth KC.
The court heard a provisional trial date — with a current time estimate of around three weeks — had been identified, starting on Wednesday October 2 2024, in front of a High Court judge. A firm date will be confirmed in due course.
In the meantime, a timetable for the progress of the case was confirmed by Judge Barker with assistance from prosecutor Daniel Bramhall.
The case was adjourned and will be mentioned again at the crown court on March 12.
Until then Crawley, previously of Sheehan Crescent, Carlisle, and latterly of no fixed address, was remanded in custody with no bail application being made by Mr Hedworth.
Police are continuing to make appeals to the public for more information about Mr Taylor’s disappearance and the movements of the Corsa, registration PY18 DYO.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Pattinson said in a statement last week: “We are still appealing to the public for information that will lead us to finding Paul’s body.”
