Murder accused to face trial

Robert Ewing, 59, of Kincraig Place, Bispham, has been accused of her murder and also a series of acts intended to pervert the course of justice.

Paige disappeared in 2007 when she was 15.

Ewing appeared via prison video link in a preliminary hearing before Preston Crown court yesterday morning and his case was adjourned for plea and case management to take place on December 15.

A trial is due to start on April 14 next year, with the case estimated to last 12 weeks. There was no application for bail on his 
behalf and he was remanded in custody by judge Stuart Baker.

A second man, 45-year-old Gareth Dewhurst, of Duncan Avenue, Blackpool, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and a sex offence. He, too, appeared at court via a video link system and his case was adjourned to the same dates.

His barrister Simon Medland said he would be making an application for bail.

Judge Baker said it would be more appropriate for an application to be made before a high court judge and that is expected to be done this Thursday.

Dewhurst was also remanded in custody following his preliminary hearing today.