Leamington man accused of killing Paul Carscadden can attend his funeral

And a judge has made an exception to a bail condition banning Ian Robert Chaundy from contacting witnesses - by allowing him to speak to them at the funeral, but not about the case.

Chaundy, 47, of Avenue Road, appeared at Warwick Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Friday after being charged with the murder of his 40-year-old partner Paul Carscadden on June 24.

The charge follows an incident in Bath Street at around 11.30pm on that date in which emergency services were called to the road where Mr Carscadden had been hit by a Stagecoach bus.

He had suffered multiple injuries and was confirmed dead at the scene.

The two men had been eating with friends in a restaurant, The Indian, shortly before the incident in which it is alleged Mr Carscadden was pushed in front of a bus by Chaundy.

Wearing a smart dark grey suit, blue shirt and tie, Chaundy spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the bail conditions.

Prosecutor Iain Willis told the judge: “There is no indication of plea at this stage. We are awaiting a report on the CCTV evidence, and the papers can be served on the defence within six weeks.”

Asking for the case to be adjourned until October, Mr Willis added: “A careful review will be required when the report is available.”

John McCormack, defending, said: “The CCTV here may be crucial, and it is going to be enhanced.”

After initially being remanded in custody after being charged, Chaundy was granted bail the next day with conditions that he live at an address outside Warwickshire, report three times a week to the police and have no contact with witnesses.

But Mr Willis said it had been agreed that Chaundy could now move back to his home address in Leamington, saying: “There appears to be no reason for having him away from his home, from where he conducts his business.”

He explained that Mr Carscadden’s family and many of the witnesses, who were friends of both men, live in Leamington, so it was thought ‘sensible’ for him to stay away while initial enquiries continued, but that was no longer necessary.

And Mr Willis added: “The deceased’s funeral is to take place on the 29th of July, and the Crown would have no objection at all to the defendant attending that, although some of the witnesses will no doubt be there.”

Judge Richard Griffith-Jones said “It is inhumane to expect him not to receive any condolences or messages of sympathy from them. The important thing is that he does not talk about the evidence with them.”

He adjourned the case for the prosecution papers, including the CCTV report, to be served on the defence prior to a plea and case management hearing on Friday October 7.

Chaundy was granted bail with a condition of residence at his home address, although he was told he could be away from the house for work as long as his solicitors had a mobile phone number they could contact him on.

He also has to report to the police once a week and is prohibited from having any contact with witnesses, save for the day of the funeral.