Trial Date Set for Man Charged Over Regency Square Hostel Stabbings
A 26-year-old man will stand trial next May over the death of a 37-year-old resident at a Brighton hostel in April.
Trial set for May 2027
Daniel Bassett, 26, of no fixed address, is due to stand trial on Monday 24 May next year over stabbings at a hostel in Regency Square. He is charged with murder and attempted murder following an incident in the early hours of Sunday 26 April at Moon's Lodge.
Bassett entered a not guilty plea to each charge at Brighton Crown Court on Monday 26 October. Judge Christine Henson, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove, remanded him in custody until the trial, which is expected to last two to three weeks.
The incident
Emergency services responded to reports of a fight inside the property at around 2.10am on 26 April. Two men were found with stab injuries. One man, aged 37 and formally identified as Tio Day, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Dylan McEwan was taken to hospital for treatment.
Bassett was arrested at a nearby hotel following reports of concerning behaviour and was charged on Tuesday 28 April.
Inquest adjourned
An inquest into Mr Day's death was opened on Thursday 7 May at West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Coroner's Court. The court heard that Mr Day died from a single stab wound to the heart. Coroner Joanne Andrews adjourned the inquest until a date to be set after the criminal trial.
Police response
Sussex Police began an investigation under Operation Wenthill, a name given to the operation six months ago.
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays, the police divisional commander in Brighton and Hove, said at the time: "Tragic incidents like this have significant consequences. Lives are lost or changed forever, families are left grieving and entire communities are affected." He added: "We will continue to work tirelessly to tackle knife crime in our communities and hold those found responsible to account."
A crowdfunder was set up for Mr Day's funeral. The organiser, Nick Hickman, described Mr Day, also known as Marcus or Fletch, as "loveable, quiet and kept himself to himself". He left behind two brothers and two children.
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