Murder trial gets under way as Ashley Francis is accused of killing grandfather in Hockwold

The trial of a 27-year-old accused of murdering his grandfather is set to start today.

Ashley Francis, 26, of Whittington Hill, was charged with murder following a stabbing in Hockwold on February 29 last year which resulted in his 81-year-old relative’s death.

Francis underwent a psychiatric evaluation following the incident to determine if he was fit to enter a plea.

He is believed to have been staying with his grandparents in Hockwold when the incident occurred.

Francis is due to appear at Norwich Crown Court today for the start of his trial.

Last February, emergency services were called to Main Street to reports that a man had been stabbed in the neck.

The victim was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and later transferred to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, where he died on March 7.