A 19-year-old who confessed to killing his younger sister at a north Wales caravan park will be sentenced in the summer following a second courtroom delay. Matthew Selby, from Ashton-under-Lyne, had been due to be sentenced in March and then April for the manslaughter of sister Amanda Selby, but now the hearing has been put back to June.
The teenager had originally been charged with murdering his sister at Ty Mawr Caravan Park in Towyn. But in February he admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility when he appeared before Mold Crown Court.
Amanda Selby, 15, from Tameside, died at the caravan site in near Abergele on July 31 last year. Her brother Matthew, 19, of Windermere Crescent, Ashton-under-Lyne, had been due to stand trial in February until he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
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The death rocked two communities 75 miles apart. At an inquest opening, a provisional cause of death for Amanda was given as asphyxia due to neck compression, external airways obstruction and crush asphyxia. A full inquest will be held once court proceedings have finished.
Matthew Selby had originally been scheduled to be sentenced on March 18 but at the time Judge Rhys Rowlands agreed to a new date, April 26, at Caernarfon Crown Court . But today (Monday), a day before the scheduled sentencing hearing, the case was adjourned until the summer.
Defending counsel Gordon Cole asked the judge to postpone the hearing. He requested that a summer date of Monday, June 20, be considered.
Mr Cole asked that a further matter be looked into ahead of sentencing. This process is expected to take up to six weeks - incorporating the two bank holiday weekends between then and now, NorthWalesLive reports.
Prosecutor Ian Unsworth QC said the newly proposed date for sentencing suited his availability. The judge said that Selby would remain in custody until the new June sentencing date in Mold, after agreeing to the postponement.
Following her death, Amanda's family released a statement through North Wales Police which said: "Amanda was a loving daughter and granddaughter – she was caring, thoughtful, liked to help others and very much loved.
"She will be very sadly missed."
Her school, Droylsden Academy, also paid tribute to her.
A message on its website said: "Our school family is devastated by this awful news. Amanda was a lovely student and she will be sorely missed by students and staff."
