Why have Peter Green Skelmanthorpe killing case delays been allowed?

Apr 6 2010 By Andrew Hirst

Why have Skelmanthorpe killing case delays been allowed?

SERIOUS delays in the case of a savage killer who brutally attacked a 67-year-old man have left his wife angry at the criminal justice system.

Professional engineer Mr Peter Green, of Radcliffe Street, Skelmanthorpe, was killed by James Spencer at a house on Lidgett Lane, Skelmanthorpe, on October 19, 2008.

Now Mr Green’s wife, Linda, has spoken out for the first time just days after the 67-year-old victim’s killer was due to be sentenced.

But the hearing did not go ahead after Spencer’s barrister failed to turn up at Bradford Crown Court.

Mrs Green said: “Why has this been allowed to go on? It has been delay after delay.

“The trial was first due to go ahead on March 23 last year, but was postponed just days before and then we were told it was September 21 last year. But I never wanted that because it was the month we met, the month we married and the month we were both born. Yet I was told it had to go ahead, then it was postponed just days before.

“Then we went to court on March 3, this year, but the judge postponed sentencing because he wanted the psychologist and psychiatrist who had dealt with Spencer in court.

“Then we were on our way to court for the sentencing on March 31 when we received a call to say it would not be going ahead again because the barrister would not be there.’’

Spencer, who admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, is now due to be sentenced on May 27 at Bradford Crown Court.

Mrs Green, relatives and friends have paid tribute to Mr Green, describing him as a ‘caring and gentle man and an excellent engineer’ with a love of building and racing cars, skiing, Chinese cooking and animals.

Mr Green – a regular at the Grove pub in Skelmanthorpe – had battled cancer for several years before being given the all-clear in 2002.

The couple married in 1980 and Mrs Green said: “He was a wonderful, loving, caring husband. He was a very intelligent, methodical and gentle man who would do anything for anyone. He was incredibly well- respected.

“He was always looking to further develop his cars and give them more power.

“He’d offer people who showed an interest in what he was doing the opportunity to drive the car. He would share it with everyone and never wanted the limelight.’’