SANDBACH man Sean Carrahar will be tried for murder for a second time.

The 38 year-old of Palmer Road, Sandbach will remain in custody for another five months until his next trial over the death of Peter Harris next year.

A four-week trial at Chester Crown Court ended in July with the jury unable to reach a verdict after eight hours of deliberation.

The Crown Prosecution Service asked for a week to decide whether it would press for a re-trial.

At Chester Crown Court on Thursday, Prosecutor Michael Chambers QC said the CPS would be seeking another trial.

He told the court: 'We have considered the matter carefully with police and the victim's family and the culmination is the Crown wish there to be a re-trial in this case.'

Mr Harris, 61, had lived in Townfields, Sandbach, for six months after moving from Milton Keynes. His body was found behind Iceland supermarket in Sandbach on August 5 last year.

The grandad and father-of-five was found by a delivery driver at about 5.15am and a post mortem examination confirmed he died of head injuries.

Andrew Robertson QC, defending, said Carrahar understood he would remain in custody until the trial began and was prepared to wait five months in order to 'continue to have the counsel of his choice.'

Carrahar was at court for the hearing wearing jeans, a white top and jacket and spoke only to confirm his name.

A second trial date has been set for January 18.