Keith Blakelock riot murder trial date confirmed

A PROVISIONAL trial date has been set for a 44-year-old man charged with the murder of Pc Keith Blakelock during the Broadwater Farm riots in 1985.

PC Keith Blakelock was killed during the riots on the Broadwater Farm Estate, Tottenham in October 1985. Picture: Getty

Nicholas Jacobs is accused of killing the 40-year-old officer, who was stabbed as he tried to protect firefighters tackling a blaze at a supermarket at the height of the unrest in Tottenham, north London.

Jacobs appeared at the Old Bailey via video-link from Belmarsh prison in south east London, and a provisional trial date was set for March 4 next year.

The case is expected to last up to six weeks.

Wearing a dark blue tracksuit top with stripes down the sleeves, and red trousers, Jacobs spoke only to confirm his name during the hearing.

No application for bail was made and he was remanded in custody to appear for a plea hearing in the week beginning October 28.

Prosecutors announced on Tuesday that Jacobs had been charged over Pc Blakelock’s death.

He and his colleague, Pc Richard Coombes, were attacked on October 6 1985 during the disorder in north London, which was sparked by the death of Cynthia Jarrett who collapsed and died during a police raid on her home.