A murder trial was abandoned for the day after court heating was "left on all weekend".
The trial into the alleged murder of Sue Addis was due to sit on Monday, February 27, but was called off shortly after 10.30am.
On the day the government announced household heating bills are set to rise by £1000, the trial failed to start after courtroom temperatures hit more than 28 degrees.
Barristers at Lewes Crown Court complained of the sweltering temperatures before the trial was abandoned.
It is thought the heating had been left on all weekend after complaints last week the courtroom was cold.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said that all Health and Safety Executive guidelines on workplace temperatures were followed.
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While no maximum temperature for working is set, the guidelines state: “All workers are entitled to an environment where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled.
"Heat is classed as a hazard and comes with legal obligations like any other hazard.”
An average day in court costs the taxpayer around £2,700 according to analysis from the Law Society in 2018.
The trial into the death of popular restaurateur Sue, 69, was due to enter its second week with the jury continuing to hear evidence.
Her grandson Pietro Addis, 19, admits stabbing her to death but denies murder.
Last week the court heard from two psychiatrists who gave their opinions on whether Addis was suffering from psychosis at the time of the incident in January, 2021.
Dr Duncan Harding, instructed by the prosecution, told the court that the “tragic killing” happened in the context of anger.
In contrast, Dr Peter Misch, instructed by the defence, said that Addis had suffered from a “psychotic, delusional belief that his grandmother was going to harm him”.
A post-mortem revealed that Sue died from “stab wounds to the neck and chest”. She was stabbed 17 times.
Sue ran a number of restaurants in Brighton and Hove including Donatello in The Lanes and Pinocchio in New Road.
The case, presided over by Judge Christine Laing KC, continues.
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