Court date delay

Sentencing of a Blackpool man who admitted the manslaughter of Hathershaw’s Andy Molloy has been adjourned.

Louis Patrick Veitch (22), of Caunce Street, admitted the charge last Thursday at Manchester Crown Court and was told he faces a jail sentence.

Judge Anthony Gee decided to hear a trial of evidence yesterday, without the need of a jury, to gauge exactly what happened on the night before deciding on the severity of the sentence.

However, following legal discussions between prosecution and defence barristers, the matter was adjourned until today for barristers to produce a list of witnesses and decide on a date for the next hearing.

Veitch struck Mr Molloy (25) outside Oldham’s Mess House pub, in Yorkshire Street, on March 15, causing him to fall back and crack his head on the ground.

He suffered serious head injuries and died at Salford’s Hope Hospital hours later.

Proceeding.