Tony Eastlake was stabbed to death just yards from his flower stall in Essex Road in May 2021

THE daughter of the “flower man of Islington” has criticised chaos in the court system that has seen the trial following his fatal stabbing put back until next year.

Paige Eastlake said her family were told the week before the trial was due to start last month that it could not go ahead because of strike action by legal aid lawyers.

Tony Eastlake, 55, was knifed to death just yards from his flower stall in Essex Road in May 2021.

The latest delay has been caused by a crisis in the court system caused by low legal aid rates which have led to barristers taking unprecedented industrial action.

Ms Eastlake called on the government to sort out the funding issue so she and others can get access to justice.

The 27-year-old said: “We were really upset as we felt we’d waited long enough. We were meant to go to the Old Bailey in January but then that got moved to July because of Covid and now it’s been moved again and we’re still awaiting a date.

“I was mentally prepared for that date – I had got the time off work and booked time off for holiday in September for a fresh start, so it is very frustrating and upsetting.

“We’ve got no answers. We’re left in limbo. If the hearing’s going to be in 2023 and he was killed in 2021 – that’s a long time to wait for justice.”

Ms Eastlake said the family were not angry with the barristers for striking as she understood their reasons for it. But she said it left her with “no one to shout at” about the delays, and called on the government to sort out the funding.

She said: “There’s no one to be angry with – I understand why they’re striking but I feel like, why would you have to strike on the day of the trial?

“Police said they’ve never experienced anything like this – everything’s out of our hands – Covid and going on strike. Who have I got to shout at? Boris isn’t even around.

“It’s all about money. They should just pay the money. And we’re not the only ones who had a murder trial moved – I think about four other families also had their cases moved.”

James Peppiatt, 22, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.