A man has accepted causing the death of a Kent student in Yorkshire.

Richard Danter, 31, appeared before Leeds Crown Court this morning accused of murdering 20-year-old Billy Mankelow.

He spoke only to confirm his name and did not enter a plea although his barrister, Jason Pitter QC, said there would be no issue as to whether his client had caused Mr Mankelow’s death.

Mr Mankelow, of Tonbridge, was found with serious head injuries at 3.20am on Saturday, April 25, under the railway arches near Leeds City Station.

Danter, of no fixed address, appeared in court via a video link from Armley jail for the brief preliminary hearing.

He is expected to be returned to the court on August 4 for a plea and case management hearing.

A provisional trial date has been set to begin on October 26 and is expected to last a week.

The Recorder of Leeds, judge Peter Collier, QC, told Danter he would be returned to prison until the next hearing.

He said: “You will be remanded in custody until then. I do not foresee circumstances where you might be granted bail.”

Mr Mankelow, who was studying social sciences at the University of Leeds, died a day after he was found.

A statement released by the former Hugh Christie student's family at the time of his death said: “We are devastated by the tragic loss of our loving son Billy and are now asking for privacy at this heartbreaking time to allow our family to grieve.”

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