Administrative hearings in two murder cases finally got underway yesterday after being delayed twice this week by a prison officers' work to rule.

A preliminary inquiry in the case of Antoine Herbert Anderson, 31, and Phillip Anthony Bradshaw, 26 — accused of murdering Aquil Richardson last Boxing Day — was opened and adjourned to May 20.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo will rule on whether or not the case should continue on to a Supreme Court hearing.

In addition, an administrative hearing in the case of Kyle Sousa, 17, Vernon Michael Simons, 23, and Shannon Jerome Tucker, 32, took place yesterday, also before Mr. Tokunbo.

The trio are accused of murdering Matthew Clarke, who was found stabbed to death at his Pembroke home last month. They must appear again before the court on May 16.

All five men were remanded back into custody at the conclusion of the hearings.

Prison officers had been refusing all week to work overtime due to a dispute with Government over pay. The ban led to court hearings being cancelled because there were not sufficient staff to escort prisoners. However, the Prison Officers' Association voted on Thursday morning to enter into voluntary mediation and called off the work to rule.