A TRIAL into the death of stab victim Aulton ‘Tom’ Rogers has been cancelled as psychiatric assessments of the man charged with his murder continue.

Prosecutors have been granted an extension to the custody time limit for Jason Voong, of Southbrook Street Extension, as Broadmoor specialists prepare reports into his mental state.

The 28-year-old is also charged with the attempted murder of Leanne James in May.

Pub worker Mr Rogers, 60, died after an attack on June 26 and Voong was arrested the following week.

A trial date and High Court judge had been reserved for a three-week trial on April 13, which has now been vacated.

Voong will be remanded in Broadmoor until June 4, when he will be brought back to court.

He appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday afternoon via video link from the hospital, with a shaved head and wearing a black jumper.

He sat leaning back with arms folded during the proceedings.

Michael Fitton, defending Voong, told the court why the intended trial would not be possible.

“The delay of which you are aware comes from the period from mid-September to early-February in getting the defendant transferred physically into Broadmoor,” he said.

“That was dealt with by a section 48 transfer, the justification for transfer having been established and accepted. He has been in Broadmoor now for a few weeks.

“Despite the doctor’s best efforts, he cannot persuade Broadmoor to conclude their reports by the beginning of April.

“The position is that three months appears to be what they had in mind as the minimum for a period of assessment, and we cannot shift them from that timetable. Had the waiting list not been so extensive we would not be in this position.

“The pressures on Broadmoor are considerable, and they move at a speed that is like a slow ocean liner.

“What is proposed is that they would be ready by early May to write the report, and we will be in the hands of Broadmoor as to what that report says.

“We would ask for potentially half a day where it will be resolved one way or the other. We believe a trial of between seven and 10 days would be a proper time slot.”

Judge Neil Ford QC granted an extension to custody and scrapped the trial date.

He said: “It is a regrettable position to be in. I will set a review for June 1. The availability of a trial date is very limited, so we might even be looking at a new trial date in the autumn. I will extend the custody time limit until June 4.

“These things tend to take a long time, especially when one or two specialist hospitals are involved. You will be remanded in Broadmoor hospital in the interim.”