Jury discharged in double murder trial of former abattoir workers

A jury in the trial of two former abattoir workers accused of murdering a co-worker and another man has been discharged for legal reasons.

Judge Mrs Justice Cutts said she was stopping the trial of Ionut-Valentin Boboc, 21, and Jacob-Bebe Chers, 45, and regretted the case could not continue.

Addressing the jurors at Bristol Crown Court, the judge said: “I am going to have to discharge you and release this case to begin again at a later date.

“I am very sorry we have got to this position, and we have done our utmost to continue with this trial.

“I am very grateful to all of you. We cannot continue with this trial, and you go with my thanks.”

The two defendants are accused of “tricking” their way into the home of Denzil McKenzie, 56, in Easton, Bristol, in September last year and stabbing him to death.

They are also accused of killing and mutilating London NHS worker Fahad Hossain Pramanik, 27, who had been visiting Mr McKenzie at the time.

Boboc, of Hillfields, Bristol, has admitted the murder of Mr McKenzie but denies murdering Mr Pramanik, while Chers, also of Hillfields, denies both murders.

A further hearing will take place on Friday to fix a new trial date.