Man, 32, due to appear at Crown Court charged with murder of Keighley boy, four (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Man, 32, due to appear at Crown Court charged with murder of Keighley boy, four

7:00am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News

A man accused of the murder of four-year-old Keighley boy Riley Turner will appear before a crown court judge today.

Anwar Rosser, 32, is alleged to have murdered the boy at Harewood Road, Keighley, on January 20 this year.

Riley, an identical twin, was pronounced dead at Airedale General Hospital early on Sunday. Police had been called to his home in Harewood Road at 4.40am.

Rosser appeared yesterday at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court for a two-minute hearing in which his case was sent to Bradford Crown Court.

Rosser, who is clean shaven with short dark hair, stood with his hands clasped in front of him and his head bowed in the secure dock.

Wearing a blue T-shirt and dark trousers, and flanked by two security officers, Rosser, 32, of Harewood Road, Keighley, answered “I am,” when asked his name by the court clerk, and “yeah” when his address and date of birth was put to him.

The clerk said the court could not consider bail for a defendant accused of murder and the case would have to be sent straight to the crown court.

Prosecutor Nadine Clough told the Bench: “I have nothing further to add in those circumstances.”

Rosser’s solicitor, Alias Yousaf, said he had nothing to add.

Chairman of the Bench, Anoop Sharda, told the defendant: “This court cannot deal with the matter any further today.

“You will be remanded in custody to appear at the crown court tomorrow morning.”

Detectives from West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team sat at the back of the court for the brief hearing, but no members of the boy’s family attended.

Yesterday, Cheryl Edge, headteacher at Worth Valley Primary School, paid tribute to Riley.

She said: “Firstly we would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Riley at this time.

“He has attended Worth Valley Primary School’s Reception class since September and has become a well-liked member of the class.

“Riley was a lively and enthusiastic boy with a cheeky sense of humour.

“After taking time to get to know us he was beginning to show his own personality.

“He will be sadly missed by the children and staff.”

Bradford Council has offered sessions for local residents to be able to talk about the tragedy.

Members of the local St John’s Church have also offered their support.