LAWYER strikes have postponed the sentencing of a man who admitted to unlawfully killing his father.
Courtnay Bamford, of Griffin Place, Aylesbury, previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of John Bamford following an incident at the latter’s home on April 6, 2021.
Bamford, 37, was due to be sentenced at Reading Crown Court today (June 28) but strike action taken by lawyers across the country meant his defence barrister could not represent him.
READ MORE: Tributes pour in as victim in Wendover killing identified
Matthew Walsh, prosecuting, said: “The family [of the victim] has asked me to put forward their unhappiness with this situation.”
Her Honour Judge Norton responded saying she understood their unhappiness “in these circumstances”.
Barristers in England and Wales went on strike earlier this week in a row over legal aid funding.
The strike action is intended to last for four weeks, beginning with walkouts on Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28, increasing by one day each week until a five-day strike from Monday, July 18 to Friday, July 22.
READ MORE: Estranged son who lived just miles from Wendover victim speaks out on his death
The sentencing was pushed back to a provisional date of Friday, September 16.
On April 6, 2021, police and ambulance crews were called to a property in Wendover where they found John Bamford. He was pronounced dead on the scene at around 6pm.
Mr Bamford, who was originally from Watford, was formerly a kitchen fitter and had lived in Aston Clinton.
Following his death, many people who knew Mr Bamford paid tribute.
One well-wisher said: “John, I worked for the best kitchen fitter there was from 1991 to 2005.
What a tragedy. I wanted to express my thanks and gratitude for all that you taught me. Sleep tight boss.”
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