Murder trial cancelled following death of accused

A murder trial has been discontinued following the death of the accused. 

The body of Stephen Lovatt, 55, of no fixed address was found at at a flat in Linfield Road, Hanley on 12 November.

Barry Scott Johnson, 56, of Winsford, Cheshire, was set to go on trial at Stoke-on-Trent Court and had previously denied the charge, but he has died since the last hearing in June.