Trial details confirmed for Aaron Ray - charged with murder of Northumbria Uni student Jason Brockbanks

Aaron Ray will stand trial for the suspected murder of Northumbria University student Jason Brockbanks in March.
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The trial of Aaron Ray, who denies the charge of murdering Northumbria University student Jason Brockbanks, is set to go ahead in March after the latest hearing today at Newcastle Crown Court.

Emergency services attended an incident at the Mansion Tyne student accommodation complex in Newcastle after a report of concern shortly before 4:30 pm on Tuesday, September 27.

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At the housing block on Howard Street, 24-year-old Jason Brockbanks was confirmed dead and 21-year-old Aaron Ray, of Mayfield Road in Sunderland, was arrested with both men believed to have known each other.

Ray was then charged with murder, which he denied in court in October. A trial date was set for Tuesday, March 14 with a five-day estimate and that has been confirmed to go ahead as planned after a hearing today.

The police cordon around the scene at Mansion Tyne near Newcastle’s Quayside.The police cordon around the scene at Mansion Tyne near Newcastle’s Quayside.
The police cordon around the scene at Mansion Tyne near Newcastle’s Quayside.

Some adjustments to the timetable for the trial may have to be made in due course with the defence seeking medical, pathological and forensic evidence - although it is not expected to delay the start date of the trial.

Following his death, tributes were paid to the Northumbria University student from Whitehaven in Cumbria, who was described by friends as "a little angel" who had "found himself" while living in Newcastle.

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The suspected murder left the student community at Northumbria University 'shocked' and 'overwhelmed' when news broke last year. One scholar told NewcastleWorld: “We heard about it via email from the uni. We’ve got too much work on, it’s our second day in, so we’re a bit overwhelmed, but it’s horrible.”