Portslade man’s murder trial delayed

A homeless former mechanic from Brighton, who has been charged with murder, has had his trial put back seven months.

Daniel Alexander, 61, of no fixed address, is charged with the murder of his former boss Gary Hampson.

Mr Hampson, 43, of Old Shoreham Road, Portslade, was reported missing in January last year after failing to contact his 10-year-old daughter despite having been in regular contact with her.

Detectives began a murder investigation after finding a significant amount of Mr Hampson’s blood at the garage that he managed in Little Western Street, Hove.

His body has still not been found.

Alexander is also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

His trial was due to start today (Monday 5 March) at Lewes Crown Court.

Three others have been charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

They are Roy Bartup, 57, of Natal Road, Brighton, Linda Rosenberg, 67, of Montpelier Road, Brighton, and Alan Topping, 48, of no fixed address.

The trial is now due to start on Monday 1 October.