Murder trial date set over missing man

Two men accused of the murder of a 60-year-old man last seen nearly two years ago are set to face trial later this year.

Leicestershire Police launched a murder inquiry on 10 February into missing man Gary Piatek, 60, who was last seen in April 2024, and started searching a property in Broad Avenue in Evington, Leicester.

Yosif Ibrahim, 43, of Broad Avenue, Leicester, and Omed Firuzman, 25, of Ashley Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Monday charged with murdering Piatek.

In a hearing in front of Judge Timothy Spencer KC, the pair were told a trial date was set for 12 October and could last up to eight weeks.

They will appear at the same court on 26 March when they will enter pleas.

Police launched a major search operation at the house in Evington - which Piatek had inherited from his parents - including demolishing its extension.

The last day Piatek was believed to have been alive was 18 April 2024, when he visited a pub, a previous court hearing was told.

On Monday, the judge told them: "You know, Yosif Ibrahim, you will stand trial for murder on 12 October.

"Omed Firuzman, you will stand trial for murder in the same trial on the same date.

"You will both be brought to court in March when you will be asked to enter your pleas."

A total of eight people have been charged with offences after a number of warrants were carried out at addresses in Evington on 10 February.

The other defendants charged in connection with the investigation are:

• Diar Muhammedy, 34, of Falmouth Road, Leicester, and Mabast Khalid, 21, of Manway Close, Birmingham, who are charged with assisting an offender between 17 and 25 April 2024
• Dilan Rabati, 34, and Ahmed Nabla, 34, both of Broad Avenue, Leicester, are accused of acquiring, using or having possession of criminal property, namely a house in Broad Avenue belonging to Piatek, between 1 June and 10 February 2026
• Dalya Rabati, 29, of Frazer Nash Close, Isleworth, London, has been accused of the same charge, relating to the property in Broad Avenue and money belonging to Piatek, as well as fraud on 29 January 2025 in which she was alleged to have created a false tenancy agreement for Piatek's house
• Nazem Kakamando, 50, of Gordon Road, Birmingham, was charged with acquiring, using or having possession of criminal property, which the court heard was a sum of more than £140,000 in cash, on 10 February 2026 and fraud, having allegedly made a false tenancy agreement on 29 January 2025.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.