UK UK - Sarah Wellgreen, 46, Kent, 9 Oct 2018

[Legally Bland]

That is fast re the Crown Court hearing also being held today...don’t think I have ever seen that before..but I suppose it’s to get it completed before the Christmas break

Yeah, that is fast. And I totally missed it, I thought they were just recapping the story so stopped scrolling.

 

[jessie]

That is fast re the Crown Court hearing also being held today...don’t think I have ever seen that before..but I suppose it’s to get it completed before the Christmas break

Will this be the Plea and Trial Hearing then? Bit rushed isn't it, how can they have had time to prepare anything.

What Happens When a Case Goes to Crown Court? | Leicester Solicitors

 

[Tortoise]

Will this be the Plea and Trial Hearing then? Bit rushed isn't it, how can they have had time to prepare anything.

What Happens When a Case Goes to Crown Court? | Leicester Solicitors

From your link "The prosecution are obliged to give some initial disclosure of the evidence at the magistrates’ court hearing." I never knew that. Shame we didn't get a report on that, unless it's not allowed to be published.

It does look as if it is the plea and trial hearing this afternoon. I wonder if he has admitted it.

 

[Alyce]

I agree, it is quite possible he has admitted it. Otherwise, it doesn't seem like enough time to prepare.

 

[Tortoise]

Or possibly if he's admitted anything he's admitted manslaughter but they're going for murder. Admitting to murder would be fairly unusual.

 

[Tortoise]

It doesn't make sense though that they haven't found her body if he's made an admission. So back to square one I think.

 

[Alyce]

I wont put the link up as I know its against WS policy, but I see a gofunding page has been started for the family with a goal of £50,000.


Just to quote one line from the GF page

On 21st December 2018 Ben Lacomba will be entering a plea at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent.

not sure if that is fact, or just the GF organiser's opinion

 

[Legally Bland]

Maidstone Crown Court 2 T20187391
Ben Sebastian Lacomba
Details: For Hearing - Case Started - 14:05

Maidstone Crown Court Listings, Case Lists, Hearings, Records & Status Details

 

[deugirtni]

I read that he was appearing in the morning... this would just have been to formally charge him in the courts.

Then I read that he was to also appear again in the afternoon to enter his plea. I'm not sure how things work over there... I think in Canada the accused doesn't actually state what he's pleading until the trial actually starts. It must obviously be different over there. But yes, that seems like WAY too fast for he and his lawyer to even have had a chance to discuss the case, and how he would plead, let alone to obtain the evidence the courts and police have, so it can be reviewed.. which will help them to decide how he will plead.

 

[deugirtni]

Could this be why he is appearing again this afternoon???? Applying for bail??????

Lacomba was applying for bail at Maidstone Crown Court this afternoon by TV link from North Kent Police Station in Northfleet.
Man appears in court accused of murdering Sarah Wellgreen

 

[Legally Bland]

I read that he was appearing in the morning... this would just have been to formally charge him in the courts.

Then I read that he was to also appear again in the afternoon to enter his plea. I'm not sure how things work over there... I think in Canada the accused doesn't actually state what he's pleading until the trial actually starts. It must obviously be different over there. But yes, that seems like WAY too fast for he and his lawyer to even have had a chance to discuss the case, and how he would plead, let alone to obtain the evidence the courts and police have, so it can be reviewed.. which will help them to decide how he will plead.

The first Crown Court hearing normally includes a plea. The earlier someone pleads guilty, the more 'credit' will be applied to the sentence.

I'm not sure what's happening this afternoon as it seems so quick. Maybe they're just dealing with his bail application?

 

[Tortoise]

For Hearing - Case Started - 14:05
For Hearing - Case Started - 14:08
For Hearing - Hearing finished for BEN SEBASTIAN LACOMBA - 14:34
For Hearing - Resume - 14:52
For Hearing - Hearing finished for BEN SEBASTIAN LACOMBA - 15:02

Maidstone Crown Court Listings, Case Lists, Hearings, Records & Status Details

 

[Tortoise]

I don't know why no one is reporting anything yet.

 

[Tortoise]

Sarah Wellgreen murder suspect appears in court
21 DEC 2018
***Updated at 3.10pm on Friday 21 December 2018***

A man has appeared in crown court via video link charged with the murder of missing Sarah Wellgreen.

Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, with authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, charged Ben Lacomba, 38, of Bazes Shaw, New Ash Green, on the evening of Thursday 20 December.
Remanded
He appeared before Medway magistrates on the morning of Friday 21 December and then Maidstone Crown Court in the afternoon.

He was remanded in custody to reappear at Maidstone Crown Court on 18 January 2019.

Mr Lacomba, who was arrested on 16 October in connection with the investigation, was re-arrested on 20 December 2018.

The search for Sarah Wellgreen is ongoing.

Sarah Wellgreen murder suspect appears in court

 

[CoverMeCagney]

I'm not up to speed on this case, but does anyone know who the kids will be spending Christmas with? I think 3 are Lacomba's children, correct? Poor little souls; mum dead and dad in prison. Awful.

EDIT: I see two of the children are adults which is a relief in some way as they'll be able to help with the younger siblings.

 

[jessie]

I'm not up to speed on this case, but does anyone know who the kids will be spending Christmas with? I think 3 are Lacomba's children, correct? Poor little souls; mum dead and dad in prison. Awful.

EDIT: I see two of the children are adults which is a relief in some way as they'll be able to help with the younger siblings.

I was thinking about this too Cags. Seems they have two sets of grandparents, one lot in Portsmouth and another in New Ash Green. From what I've read BL's mum in NAG used to help care for the 3 youngest but since he has been charged I'd think that was unlikely now. Goodness knows how they will all cope.

 

[Alyce]

For Hearing - Case Started - 14:05
For Hearing - Case Started - 14:08
For Hearing - Hearing finished for BEN SEBASTIAN LACOMBA - 14:34
For Hearing - Resume - 14:52
For Hearing - Hearing finished for BEN SEBASTIAN LACOMBA - 15:02

Maidstone Crown Court Listings, Case Lists, Hearings, Records & Status Details

That looks like 25 minutes to put forward his plea for bail
18 minutes for Judge to have a think about it !
10 minutes for Judge to say no


ETA - am surprised that he/his lawyer even made application

 

[Alyce]

I'm not up to speed on this case, but does anyone know who the kids will be spending Christmas with? I think 3 are Lacomba's children, correct? Poor little souls; mum dead and dad in prison. Awful.

EDIT: I see two of the children are adults which is a relief in some way as they'll be able to help with the younger siblings.

The two adults are in Portsmouth, the 3 younger in NAG. Absolutely dreadful situation for them. Hopefully younger ones will go to older ones, as SWs mother and stepfather are also in Portsmouth. But so awful for them, children not able to spend a happy Christmas in their own home.

 

[Alyce]

I was thinking about this too Cags. Seems they have two sets of grandparents, one lot in Portsmouth and another in New Ash Green. From what I've read BL's mum in NAG used to help care for the 3 youngest but since he has been charged I'd think that was unlikely now. Goodness knows how they will all cope.

Sorry Jessie, didnt see yours before I replied to Cags.
I agree re BLs mother, probably won't be caring for them now, hopefully they get looked after by SWs family.

 

[jessie]

I don't know why no one is reporting anything yet.

The speed seems to have caught everyone by surprise.