Four murder accused to be released on bail amid legal aid strikes

Oxford judge remarks on lack of legal aid reforms as he refuses to extend custody pending trial

Four people accused of murder are to be released on bail after a judge refused to extend the time they could be kept in custody pending trial.

The trial, for the fatal stabbing of 40-year-old Keith Green in February, could not go ahead as planned on Tuesday because of the indefinite strike by criminal barristers over legal aid fees. Judge Ian Pringle, the recorder of Oxford, was asked to extend the period the accused could be held on remand beyond the six-month limit, which expires at midnight on Thursday, but refused to do so.