Niramax boss Neil Elliott in court: Updates as businessman appears at Teesside Crown Court accused of murdering Michael Phillips in Hartlepool

Neil Elliott, 44, of Briarfield Close, Hartlepool, and Lee Darby, 31, of Ridley Court, Hartlepool, appeared at Teesside Crown Court to enter pleas over the murder of 39-year-old Michael Phillips.

Mr Phillips suffered 'significant injuries' at a property in the town's Rydal Street on Monday, June 10. Emergency services were called to the scene, but he sadly died.

On Friday, July 12, at Teesside Crown Court both men pleaded not guilty to murder.

Elliott also pleaded not guilty to the assault of Lee Cardwell occasioning him actual bodily harm, while Darby pleaded not guilty to possession of a stun gun on June 12.

Both men were then remanded in custody until a further hearing on Friday, September 27.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC set a provisional trial date of January 6, 2020.

Judge Bourne-Arton remands both defendants in custody.

"I'm going to rise for a few minutes," says the judge and leaves the bench.

Those involved in Elliott and Darby leave the court as lawyers file in for the next case. 

The judge orders members of Mr Phillips' family to be informed of the next hearing and invited to attend if they wish to.

Prosecutor Mr Perks assures the judge that will be done.

The judge sets a provisional trial date of January 6.

Judge Bourne-Arton says he expects all defendants in the case to appear before the court for a further hearing on September 27.

The lawyers and judge agree the case will take 'five or six weeks' to try.

Elliott pleads not guilty to the murder of Michael Phillips on June 10.

Darby pleads not guilty to the murder of Michael Phillips on June 10.

Elliott pleads not guilty to the assault of Lee Cardwell occasioning him actual bodily harm.

Darby pleads not guilty to possession of a stun gun on June 12.

Elliott is identified, as is Lee Darby, who is 31, of Ridley Court, Hartlepool.

Darby was previously with murder, burglary and possessing a weapon.

Elliott is led into the dock, handcuffed to a prison officer.

"There's been a delay, technical issues with the link," Judge Bourne-Arton tells him.

Several people file into the court's public gallery, which is now almost full.

The case is being called on.

The judge is the senior judge at Teesside, Simon Bourne-Arton QC. Jolyon Perks is appearing for the prosecution.

Elliott is in the court's cells, but his barrister and another linked defendant are due to appear via videolink.

Linking to two locations is a challenge for the court's system and it's taking a little while.

Welcome to Teesside Crown Court for the plea hearing of Neil Elliott.

The 44-year-old, of Briarfield Close, Hartlepool, is alleged to have murdered Michael Phiillips in Rydal Street in Hartlepool on June 10.

Elliott, a director of waste management company Niramax, is expected to enter a plea to the charge today.

Neil Elliott, a director of waste management company Niramax in Hartlepool, last appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, June 17.

He was remanded in custody until today's date (Friday, July 12) by Judge Simon Bourne-Arton.

Prosecutor Jolyon Perks told Teesside Crown Court the police inquiry was 'still in its infancy' at that point.

Our reporter Rob Freeth is at Teesside Crown Court where Niramax boss Neil Elliott, 44, is due to appear charged with murdering Hartlepool man Michael Phillips.

Mr Phillips, who was 39, suffered 'significant injuries' at a property in the town's Rydal Street. He died on June 10, 2019.