Three alleged High Wycombe murderers were brought before a judge today to discover what the future holds for them.

At a preliminary hearing at Reading Crown Court this morning, James Scott, 32, of Hawthorne Road, High Wycombe, Ramah Lambkin, 24, of Rowan Avenue, High Wycombe, and Asher Anderson, 35, of Walton Gardens, Wembley, appeared before Judge Heather Norton.

All three men are charged with murdering 55-year-old Andrew Ballantyne, who died on Saturday, July 31 after he was found on the ground by police in the early hours of the morning.

Scott, Lambkin and Anderson appeared at court via video link from HMP Bullingdon, where they are all remanded in custody.

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The three defendants join Nickolas Williams, 25, of Gibbs Close, High Wycombe and Daniel Ramsey, 25, of Micklefield Road, High Wycombe, who have also been charged with murder in connection with Mr Ballantyne’s death.

A bail hearing will take place at Reading Crown Court on Friday, August 13, where lawyers representing the five defendants will have an opportunity to argue for their clients to be released from custody throughout legal proceedings.

None of the five men has entered a plea of guilty or not guilty to the charges.

The five men who have been charged are: 

  • Ramah Lambkin, 24, of Rowan Avenue, High Wycombe
  • Asher Anderson, 35, of Walton Gardens, Wembley
  • Daniel Ramsey, 25, of Micklefield Road, High Wycombe 
  • Nickolas Williams, 25, of Gibbs Close, High Wycombe
  • James Scott, 32, of Hawthorne Road, High Wycombe

A provisional trial date has been set for February 7, 2022. It had been thought that a trial would last four weeks, but prosecutor Kirsty Allman advised today that more time may be required.

A pre-trial preparation hearing has been set for October 29, where a more concrete timetable for a potential trial will be agreed upon.

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