A 29-year-old man accused of murdering one of Britain's most prolific paedophiles in prison has been told it is possible his trial date may have to be moved.

Judge Roger Thomas QC told Paul Fitzgerald his trial for murdering Richard Huckle is still due to start on July 6 but said he felt it was likely this would have to be moved until later this year or even 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fitzgerald is charged with murdering Huckle at HMP Full Sutton, in East Yorkshire, on October 13 last year.

He appeared for a brief hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday by video link. The judge was in court but all counsel appeared via Skype.

Huckle, who was reportedly stabbed in his cell, was given 22 life sentences at the Old Bailey in 2016 for an unprecedented number of offences against children aged between six months and 12 years.

Addressing the trial date, Judge Thomas said: "For the moment we can't move that date. Personally, I wonder whether it's still viable."

The judge remanded Fitzgerald in custody and ordered another hearing for May 29 in Sheffield.