A NEW trial date has been set for a man accused of murdering a toddler.

Joseph Eke appeared at Winchester Crown Court via video link this morning (January 16).

He is charged with the murder of Harry House on May 26, 2016. 

He also faces a separate charge of GBH against the toddler, alleged to have happened on March 27 2016.

Eke denies both charges. 

Eke appeared via video link from Winchester Prison, where he is remanded in custody. 

Wearing a grey t-shirt, he spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood a new trial date had been set.

As reported in the Echo, two-year-old Harry House went into cardiac arrest at his home in Broadmayne, near Dorchester, on the morning of May 26 last year. 

Although paramedics were quickly on scene, performed CPR and rushed him to Dorset County Hospital, Harry was declared dead at 11am.

Harry suffered bruising and grazing to his stomach and back as a result of a blunt force trauma, a post mortem revealed.

Police launched a murder investigation on June 1 after receiving the results of the post mortem examination.

Eke was later arrested and charged.

He denies the charges. 

The original trial date was planned for March but has now been moved. 
It is expected to last around three weeks.

At the hearing yesterday, Judge Keith Cutler CBE explained how another case management hearing is likely to take place on the original trial start date of March 1 at Winchester Crown Court. 

Police have reminded members of the public that no comments should be made which could impact the court case. 

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Derbyshire, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, previously said: “I would like to remind members of the public to be mindful that certain legal constraints apply now proceedings are active.

“We would hate for anyone to accidentally impact on a future court case by posting well-intended but inappropriate comments on social media.”

Following Harry’s death bunches of flowers were left on the doorstep of the house where lived and residents spoke of their shock and sadness at the news of his death.

The trial is now scheduled to begin on April 26, 2017 at Winchester Crown Court.