Murder trial discontinued following death of accused

A murder trial has been discontinued following the death of the accused.

The body of Stephen Lovatt, 55, of no fixed address was found at at a flat in Linfield Road, Hanley on 12 November.

Barry Scott Johnson, 56, of Winsford, Cheshire, was set to go on trial at Stoke-on-Trent Court and had previously denied the charge.

A mention of the case was last heard on 19 June, and "he has since died," said the court.

"Once the death is formally confirmed, a decision is made to stop the case, and the court is then formally notified of that decision," added the Crown Prosecution Service.

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