Man accused of killing Doncaster teacher Lewis Siddall appears in court

Detectives investigating the death of Lewis Siddall will appeal for information outside Doncaster's VDKA bar tonight (Thursday 20 August) in a bid to find potential witnesses.

Blue Horrobin, aged 22, appeared at the hearing at Doncaster Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Mr Horrobin, of Highfield Road, Askern is charged with the manslaughter of 24-year-old Lewis Siddall, who was found dead in his bed on August 14 after being allegedly assaulted in VDKA bar in Doncaster town centre the night before .

He died as a result of a head injury.

Wearing a royal blue suit, white shirt and blue and white patterned tie, Mr Horrobin spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address at the hearing.

Representing Mr Horrobin, Dale Harris told the court there was no indication of plea at this stage.

District Judge Meek adjourned the case to Sheffield Crown Court on March 30, when she said ‘significant progress’ was expected to be made.

Mr Horrobin, who has been on bail since his arrest, was told his bail would continue with the condition that he is not to enter any licensed premises.

The court heard Mr Horrobin was initially arrested in August but not charged until February 1.

Mr Siddall was found dead at his home in Skellow, Doncaster, on Friday, August 14 after he was allegedly assaulted at the town centre bar at around 11pm the night before.

Police conducted extensive enquiries following Mr Siddall’s death including returning to the Silver Street bar where they spoke to around 60 people in a bid to trace witnesses.

Mr Siddall was a teacher at Copley Junior School in Sprotbrough.

At the time of his death headteacher Elizabeth Crayton paid tribute to the ‘mild mannered’ PE teacher.

She said: “Lewis was a greatly valued member of our staffing team. He was passionate about encouraging pupils to participate in and enjoy sport.

“He taught PE and games throughout school and willingly gave his time after school and at weekends.

“Lewis was a truly lovely young man – enthusiastic, mild mannered, polite and always vigilant about pupils’ safety.

“When I think about Lewis I can only think of good things – how kind and unassuming he was, how polite, how considerate and enthusiastic, how sensible, reliable and conscientious he was, and there can be no better tribute than that.”