A Crown Court judge has laid out a timetable for the prosecution of Graham Richardson, the 26-year-old Norton man charged with the murder of Full Sutton antique dealer Peter Battle.
Wearing a grey partly unbuttoned shirt, Mr Richardson appeared via a live video link from HM Hull Prison on Wednesday, only to confirm his name during the preliminary hearing at Hull Crown Court.
Mr Richardson was ordered to appear before the court again on May 10, and was remanded in custody until that date.
In addition to the murder charge Mr Richardson also faces a charge of theft from a dwelling but has yet to enter a plea for either offence.
56-year-old Peter Battle was discovered dead at his home, Whisker Cottage in Full Sutton, on 7 February when police forced entry to the property after a friend of Mr Battle contacted the authorities saying they had not heard from him for some time.
A post mortem confirmed Mr Battle had died following blunt force trauma to the head and had been dead for some time.
Police believe a number of items including gold, silver, sovereigns, coins and a silver vase may have been taken from the house and are also keen to trace a silver and black Advent 2000 laptop which they think is missing from Mr Battle’s home.
If you have any information about any of the items listed above contact the Major Incident Room on 01377 208989 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.