Lee Burns murder trial: 'Unfit' for court sentencing

Lee Burns, of Worsley Street, was due to be sentenced today at Manchester Crown Court after he killed father-of-one Vincent McDonagh while the pair walked home from the Manor Inn, in Glodwick, on November 9 last year.

However, the ruling has now been adjourned after it was heard the 38-year-old was "unfit to come to court".

Speaking in court, the defending barrister Richard Littler KC said: “He’s taken an unknown substance at the prison and he’s unfit to come to court."

Vincent McDonagh with his fiance, Demi, and their son (Image: GMP)

Mr Littler added that it was “very unfortunate” but he felt Burns would not even be fit to continue over a video link from the jail later in the month.

Judge Alan Conrad KC replied: “It sounds self-inflicted to me."

He continued to explain that "things need to be done properly" and that he would move the sentencing to Wednesday at 10.30am, adding that "if he renders himself incapable" Judge Conrad would proceed with the sentencing in his absence.

The Manor Inn pub, on Abbey Hills Road, where Mr McDonagh and Burns were drinking on the fatal night in November (Image: Google Street View)

Burns, who lived in a flat in the same building as Mr McDonagh, killed the 45-year-old after he punched him twice and stamped on his head twice when they became engaged in a tussle.

He maintained throughout the trial that he acted in self-defence, claiming he believed Mr McDonagh was armed with a knife at the time, however no knife was found on Mr McDonagh's body or in his room.

CCTV footage of the assault was captured by Abbey Hills Mini Mart (Image: Google Street View)

Speaking about the injuries sustained, consultant pathologist Dr Jamie Robinson said the damage taken on the left side of Mr McDonagh's face was likely to have been the result of being stamped on.

While the left side of his face had grazing which was consistent with if it had been forced against the paving.

On Friday, a jury found Burns guilty following a trial.