AN ACCRINGTON man has appeared before Hyndburn magistrates charged with murdering a teenager.
John Butterworth, 49, of Water Street, is accused of killing 19-year-old Daniel James Freeston, who was on bail charged with raping a 15-year-old girl at a house party.
Mr Freeston was discovered with a serious head injury in Water Street at around 4.50am on Saturday.
He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary but died later that day.
Butterworth was brought before the court on Monday morning, when an application for bail was made amid concerns for his safety.
Philip Smithies, defence solicitor, said: "Quite clearly, if he stays in Accrington he will be in clear jeopardy of reprisals."
Neil White, for the prosecution, said he had no objections to bail being granted.
Butterworth was released on conditional bail to an undisclosed address outside Hyndburn to appear at crown court on 9 November.
During his time on bail Butterworth will not be allowed to come into Hyndburn, must report to the local police station three times a week and must not make any applications for a passport or any other documentation to travel outside the UK.
The chairman of the Bench said: "It is most unusual for any court to be considering an application for bail in a murder case.
"However, having heard what has been said by the prosecution and your defence, we are going to grant bail. I feel there is little chance of you absconding and little risk of you committing further offences."
- MR FREESTON, then of Cedar Street, Accrington, appeared before Preston Crown Court in May charged with raping the girl at a party which also took place in Water Street.
He pleaded not guilty and the trial was fixed for August.
