A prison officer from Darwen who is accused of murdering a man has had his bail extended by a judge.

James Johnson appeared at Manchester Crown Court today (Tuesday December 20) for a bail application hearing.

The 29-year-old is accused of murdering David Toulson at an address in Salford, Greater Manchester, in June. 

At around 5.25pm on Saturday, June 25, police received a report of concern for the welfare of an individual at a property on Adelphi Street in the city.

Emergency services attended but Mr Toulson was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Following enquiries, Johnson, of Darwen, was charged with murder and was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday June 30, where he was granted conditional bail. 

Johnson, whose full address cannot be disclosed for legal reasons and who is employed at HMP Forest Bank in Salford as a prison guard, was not present at the hearing today.

His conditional bail was extended and the case adjourned for a pre-trial hearing on February 21 next year.

A trial date has been fixed for March 2023.

Following his death, Mr Toulson's family said in tribute: "It’s with a heavy heart and disbelief that our beloved son, brother and uncle Dave, tragically lost his life on 25th June 2022.

"As a family we are heartbroken beyond belief to have lost him so young. He will be forever in our hearts and missed by many."