THE TRIAL of the man accused of the Burnley headless corpse killing was due to open in Preston today.

Stuart Diamond, 20, of Park Road, Blackpool is charged with killing and mutilating Burnley teenager Christopher Hartley.

Christopher, 17, lived with his family in Helston Close, Griffin estate, Burnley, but went to Blackpool to find work last summer.

His body was found behind the New Central Hotel on December 30. His head was never recovered.

Diamond was extradited from the Irish Republic in January 1998 and charged with murder.

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