Trial of Gezim Delijah accused of killing Barnehurst pensioner adjourned until May (From News Shopper)
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Trial of Gezim Delijah accused of killing Barnehurst pensioner adjourned until May
10:39am Monday 18th February 2013 in Bexley By Alan Woods
Flowers were laid in tribute to Edward Syrad. Picture by Jim Bennett
THE trial of a 41-year-old man accused of killing a pensioner in Barnehurst will now be held at the Old Bailey in May.
Gezim Delijah, of Boundary Road, Waltham Forest, is accused of breaking into a house in Edendale Road on January 25 last year and killing 64-year-old Edward Syrad.
His trial was set to begin in courtroom 16 this morning but the need to review evidence meant the case was adjourned.
He was initially charged with murder but that has been downgraded to manslaughter. He also faces charges of robbery and possessing an imitation firearm with intent, and will face a jury at the same court on May 13.
Officers were called to Mr Syrad’s home at 10.30pm on the night of the attack following a burglary at the property.
Mr Syrad was allegedly threatened with a gun and assaulted and he died at the scene.
His wife was taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries and was later discharged.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as numerous severe blunt trauma injuries and heart failure.
