Higher Walton murder: Trial is postponed after jury member tests positive for Covid

The trial of murder accused Lee Tipping has been postponed due to Covid-19.
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Tipping, 36, stands accused of stabbing his parents Anthony Tipping and Patricia Livesey to death at their home on Cann Bridge Street, Higher Walton, on November 20 2021. He admits manslaughter but denies murder.

The trial, which was due to continue at Preston Crown Court today, has been delayed after a member of the jury tested positive for coronavirus.

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This means the case will not resume until Monday at the earliest, as rules state that people diagnosed with the virus must test negative two days in a row following five days of self-isolation before returning to court.

Tricia Livesey, aged 57 and Anthony Tipping, aged 60, were found dead at their home in Higher WaltonTricia Livesey, aged 57 and Anthony Tipping, aged 60, were found dead at their home in Higher Walton
Tricia Livesey, aged 57 and Anthony Tipping, aged 60, were found dead at their home in Higher Walton
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Judge Julian Goose said: "We are hoping there will be a negative test on Sunday and Monday, which means we cannot sit today in any event."

Earlier in the week the court heard that the couple's bodies were found in the upstairs of the house by police.

Tipping, who had booked a last minute plane ticket to Rome and had fled to Manchester Airport, was arrested outside a Premier Inn hotel, where he was staying under a fake name, the following day.

Police and SOCO’s on the scene at Cann Bridge Street, Higher WaltonPolice and SOCO’s on the scene at Cann Bridge Street, Higher Walton
Police and SOCO’s on the scene at Cann Bridge Street, Higher Walton
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He told police his father had been "bullying him all his life".

A neighbour, Deborah Littlejohn, said that Mr Tipping had indeed been described as 'a bully', and that he had once verbally abused her. But she added: "But I wouldn't say that he was vicious, as in he wouldn't start a fight physically."

Lee Tipping, meanwhile, was described as 'isolated' and 'a loner' who had no friends growing up.