A murder trial connected to a fatal stabbing on Valentine’s Day has been delayed once again after one of the accused became “unwell”.

O’Neal Joseph, aged 28, of Amersham Road in Caversham, is  charged with murdering 24-year-old Yannick Cupido in Caversham on February 14.

Reece Weatherburn, aged 22, of Nire Road in Caversham, is charged with assisting an offender. The two men deny the charges against them.

The trial at Reading Crown Court was supposed to begin on Monday but had been postponed until today (Friday) due to legal arguments.

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This morning the trial was delayed once again as it came to light that one of the defendants has taken ill.

Weatherburn did not appear at court this morning because he was not feeling well, the court heard from his barrister, Nadia Chbat.

After hearing the details from her, judge Amjad Nawaz decided to put the trial on pause and dismissed the jury until Monday morning, when it is hoped it will resume.

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He said: “One of the defendants is not here, he’s not feeling well and he’s entitled to be here so regrettably we can’t carry on.”

Judge Nawaz advised that the trial will start again on Monday morning.