NEW evidence has emerged relating to the death of a three-year-old girl at York College Nursery, a court has heard.

Lydia Bishop died last September, after she was found on a slide at the nursery with a rope around her neck and nursery worker Sophee Redhead, 24, has been accused of manslaughter.

The trial date was yesterday agreed for January, but the charge was not put to Redhead, after the prosecution indicated they wanted more time to review the evidence and finalise the charge or charges against both her and York College.

The college has been accused of breaching health and safety regulations.

Christopher Tehrani, prosecuting at Leeds Crown Court, said Robert Smith QC, who will be prosecuting the case, had been provided with some new evidence which he needed to consider.

The college was listed in court alongside Redhead, who had been committed to the court on an earlier date. Yesterday’s plea and case management hearing was adjourned until October 4.

Alistair MacDonald QC, representing Redhead, said she had already submitted a defence statement to the charge she currently faces and it caused some surprise to learn the situation might change.

Simon Antrobus, representing York College, said they too thought the case had already been reviewed.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, was told a trial would probably last more than three weeks.

It was fixed to start in the week beginning January 14 next year in front of a High Court judge.

He agreed to continue unconditional bail for Redhead, of Wenham Road, York, until the next hearing.