Elland man admits to the manslaughter of Halifax mum-of-two Levi Ogden

Lloyd Birkby was charged with murdering the 26-year-old last November after she died following an incident during a night out in Halifax town centre.

Birkby, of Langdale Street, Elland, appeared before Bradford Crown Court via a video link to HMP Leeds and entered a not guilty plea to murder, but admitted manslaughter.

He also pleaded guilty to common assault in relation to another woman that night and denied a further common assault allegation.

Prosecutor Dafydd Enoch QC told Judge Jonathan Rose that the intended pleas were notified to the Crown well in advance and the Crown had had the opportunity to consider them in detail both with the team involved in the investigation and the family of the deceased.

“The bottom line is that plea is acceptable to the Crown,” he said.

Mr Enoch said the prosecution intended to offer no evidence on the murder charge.

Barrister Stephen Wood QC, for Birkby, told the judge that a psychologist’s assessment of his client was on-going and Judge Rose confirmed that Birkby would be sentenced for the manslaughter and common assault by the Recorder of Leeds next month.

“Lloyd Birkby the prosecution accept the guilty pleas you have entered. You will not be tried on the other matters,” he told the defendant over the video link.

The judge confirmed that the sentence hearing would take place at Leeds Crown Court on April 8 and he remanded Birkby in custody to that date.

“You know full well a custodial sentence will follow,” he added.