Mirfield murder accused appears in court on his birthday

Nadeem Rashid, who turned 21 today, appeared at Leeds Crown Court charged with the murder of Joshua Hirst.

Rashid, of Lapwing View, Horbury, did not enter a plea and will appear at the court next Monday.

He will stand in the dock alongside co-accused Jo Church, 21, of Redlands Close, Mirfield, and Arron Smith, 18, of Saville Street, Emley.

Church and Smith are both accused of murder and possessing an offensive weapon. Neither has entered a plea.

Four people have been charged in connection with the death of Mr Hirst, who was found stabbed near his home in Hepworth Lane on Friday August 3.

On Wednesday, 22-year-old Kirstie Rainford, of Springbank Drive, Liversedge, will appear at Leeds Crown Court charged with two counts of assisting an offender.