A JUDGE has called for a new expert witness to give evidence in the trial of man accused of murdering a former Blackburn high school pupil.

Geoffrey Anthony Laycock, 32, of Willow Bank, Todmorden, is charged with murdering 28-year-old Marvin Lee Whitehead, originally of Blackburn, whose body was found on February 1 in a house in Willow Bank. Laycock's trial was due to start yesterday at Leeds Crown Court, but was adjourned until Wednesday after a day of legal arguments. His defence team need to find another pathologist by Wednesday as the original pathologist is in Malaysia.

The trial is scheduled to last for one week.

At the time of his death, Mr Whitehead had been living with Brian and Lorna Shackleton of Burnley Road, Todmorden, and worked at their fruit and vegetable business, known as Shackletons. He was a former pupil of Billinge School, now Beardwood High, in Preston New Road, Blackburn, and lived with his stepmother, Charmaine Whitehead, in Belthorn in his teens.

After leaving school, he worked at Pleckgate High School as a canteen assistant, before starting with the Shackletons.

Mr Whitehead's father Chris Whitehead, 51, of Langham Road, Blackburn, has described his son as a simplistic man who made up for what he lacked academically with his strength and willingness.

He added, at his funeral earlier this year, at St. Bartholomew's Church, Ewood, that his son had been let down by the world.

Mr Whitehead had five brothers and three sisters, all from Blackburn.