Hillsborough match commander faces trial for manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 football supporters

Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield will face trial for the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 football supporters after a judge at Preston Crown Court ruled to lift a stay on his prosecution.

Duckenfield, 73, faces 95 charges of gross negligence manslaughter following the crush in the terrace pens of the Sheffield Wednesday stadium's Leppings Lane end at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15.

The judge said: "In respect of the defendant David Duckenfield I lift the stay.

"I confirm that I grant the voluntary bill of indictment to allow prosecution against for manslaughter to proceed. I decline to order a stay on that charge."

Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, because he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused.

The Crown Prosecution Service applied to lift a historical stay - halting further legal proceedings - on Mr Duckenfield which was put in place in 2000.