Man admits killing court bailiff Jeff Blair in Shildon

Former police officer Jeff Blair, 55, suffered serious injuries and died after being stabbed while working in Shildon, County Durham, earlier this year. Credit: Durham Police

A man has admitted killing a court bailiff in County Durham.

Jeff Blair, 55, was stabbed while working in Shildon on 10 March and later died in hospital.

It happened on Dean Street as former police officer Mr Blair attended the house of Robert Davies, 50, with another bailiff, a letting agent and a locksmith.

Davies who was later charged with murder and had been due to go on trial at Leeds Crown Court this week.

However, on Wednesday (11 November), prosecutors accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The court heard that three psychiatrists agreed Davies had an "abnormality of mental functioning".

Jeff Blair was carrying out his work as a court bailiff when he was fatally stabbed at a property in Shildon in March. Credit: PA

He will be sentenced in February and will be transferred from prison to a secure hospital for assessments ahead of sentencing.

Mr Blair was a police officer with Durham Constabulary for 22 years before retiring in 2017, prior to becoming a court bailiff.

In a statement previously issued by his family, they said: “Jeff was a much-loved son, brother, father, partner, uncle and good friend to many.

“His ability to apply humour and laughter to any situation and lighten the mood will be irreplaceable to our family.”

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