OVER a year since Aulton ‘Tom’ Rogers was fatally stabbed in the underpass running between the Oasis and the town centre, the man accused of his murder will answer the charges in a trial.

Twenty-nine-year-old Jason Voong has been remanded in Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital since last year while he underwent extensive medical assessments, which have now been completed.

He is charged jointly with the murder of 60-year-old Tom, who was cycling home from his work in a West Swindon pub on June 26 last year when he died, and the attempted murder of Leanne James, in the same location the previous month.

While Mr Voong has not yet entered a plea to either charge, a trial will now go ahead as the psychiatric reports from both defence and prosecution have been completed.

Expected to last around two weeks, the trial will begin at Bristol Crown Court on November 2, and could be heard by a High Court judge.

Ms James, 25, will give evidence via video link while the facts of both incidents are established.

Ian Lawrie, prosecuting at a plea and case management hearing in Bristol today, said: “The case had been adjourned for the opportunity to respond to the defence psychiatric evidence.

“There is a response report from Dr Sanford, and he takes the view that there is not sufficient medical evidence to argue on the basis of diminished responsibility, so there will be a trial.

“The reality is that this is going to be a relatively narrow issue, and a trial date has been set for November 2. We know what the issues are, and there are no additional matters as far as the prosecution is concerned.”

Appearing via video link from Broadmoor, Mr Voong, with a shaved head and wearing a bright blue jumper, spoke only to confirm his name and he could hear the proceedings.

Mr Lawrie said: “We are able to reduce the length of the trial from the initial three week time limit. I could complete my case within about four days, and that is being generous.

“There will be no bad character application, because he doesn’t have the type of history where that is merited. The victim in the attempted murder charge will be giving evidence via video link, and special measures have been granted for that some time ago.”

His Honour Judge Ford QC, presiding, told Mr Voong: “Your trial will now take place on November 2. In the mean time you will remain in Broadmoor.”