THE trial of a Crewe teenager accused of murder has been suspended after a member of the jury contracted coronavirus.

The hearing at Chester Crown Court has been halted temporarily and is scheduled to restart on January 4, 2022 so as to ensure Covid self-isolation rules are adhered to.

Crown prosecutors have been outlining the case against the 17-year-old, who denies murdering Keagan Crimes at Winsford on October 12, 2020.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also pleaded not guilty to counts of wounding with intent, unlawful wounding and possession of a knife.

During seven days of prosecution evidence the court has heard how Mr Crimes was stabbed during a late-night altercation in Cheviot Square shopping precinct on the Over estate.

The teenager from Crewe, who was 16 at the time of the incident, is said to have stayed in the area after a masked gang of youths he was among fled the scene.

He then began swinging a 'Zombie' knife at an older group of men who had confronted him.

Two men, Jason McQuoid and Dylan Munro, suffered injuries after being caught by the blade.

Mr Crimes, who also become embroiled in the trouble, suffered a stab wound to his chest and died later in hospital.

The case, which is being heard by Judge Steven Everett, was initially expected to run into the second week of January.