A judge has reserved his decision on whether a man who has admitted the murder of a sex offender in Huddersfield can change his guilty plea back to not guilty.

David Mitchell, 47 was due to appear at Leeds Crown Court today for his withdrawal application to be heard but the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC was told he had refused to leave his cell at Leeds Prison.

Robert Hind
Robert Hind

Earlier this year Mitchell, of Manchester Road, Cowlersley, denied the murder of Robert Hind, 47 on December 11 last year but changed his plea to guilty when the case was listed for trial in June.

It was when he appeared for sentence in September that the court heard he wanted to change his plea back to not guilty.

Judge Collier refused an application by Charles Garside QC, representing Mitchell, to adjourn the application yesterday saying he could proceed on written and oral submissions in the defendant’s absence.

He then reserved judgment until December. The judge has said previously if the application succeeds a new trial date will have to be fixed.

Mitchell was charged with Mr Hind’s murder hours after human remains were found during a search of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Milnsbridge.