TAYLOR Williams trial has been postponed as part of the ongoing efforts to delay the spread of Covid-19.

The trial has been stopped until May 5, 2020 for pre-trial review.

Taylor, 18, from Bromley, was “senselessly” stabbed to death after an attempted robbery by a rival drug gang operating in Basingstoke, Winchester Crown Court heard.

The teenager died in Shooters Way on Saturday, August 31, 2019 after a stab wound to his chest fatally cut his heart, causing him to lose a litre of blood and suffer a cardiac arrest.

At the opening of the murder trial into the London teenager's death, defendents Terence Maccabee, 19, of Southwark, and Olamide Soyege, 28, Dagenham, denied murder, knife possession and robbery charges.

Paige Taylor, 23, from Basingstoke, also denied robbery.

The announcement to delay trials came after pressure mounted on the government to make clear its strategy for courts, amid growing concerns about the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on court business.

The statement said the impact of the public health emergency on the operation of the courts has been under “constant review”, and that criminal trials pose “particular problems in a fast-moving situation” because of the involvement of many participants including the judge, jurors, defendants, lawyers, witnesses and court staff.

The statement read: “Given the risks of a trial not being able to complete, the Lord Chief Justice has decided that no new trial should start in the Crown Court unless it is expected to last for three days or less.

“All cases estimated to last longer than three days listed to start before the end of April 2020 will be adjourned.

“These cases will be kept under review and the position regarding short trials will be revisited as circumstances develop and in any event next week.

“As events unfold decisions will be taken in respect of all cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court.”