Man faces trial charged with murdering two Brighton schoolgirls

A man is to go on trial at the Old Bailey charged with murdering two Brighton schoolgirls in 1986.

Murder victims Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway

Russell Bishop, 51, appeared at the Central Criminal Court – better known as the Old Bailey – by video link earlier today (Monday 1 October).

Bishop is accused of killing Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, both nine years old, on Thursday 9 October 1986.

The girls’ bodies were found a day later in Wild Park, Moulsecoomb.

Russell Bishop

Bishop appeared today by video link from Frankland Prison, Durham, with technical problems delaying proceedings.

He was remanded in custody by the judge, Sir Nigel Sweeney, also known as Mr Justice Sweeney.

Bishop’s trial is due to start in a fortnight’s time, on Monday 15 October, with the same judge presiding and before a jury.

It is expected to last six to eight weeks and follows preliminary hearings earlier this year on Friday 26 January and Friday 2 February.