TWENTY-two-year old Prince "Bomber" Vale, the man accused of murdering Anglican Reverend Father Richard Johnson, yesterday had the matter set for preliminary enquiry on January 17 when he appeared in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate's Court.

After being informed by the prosecution that the case file on the matter had been completed, presiding magistrate Judith Pusey then opted to set the matter for preliminary enquiry. Pusey also extended Vale's $50,000 bail bond.

Vale's attorney Arthur Kitchin told the court last month that his client stabbed Johnson in self-defence. He said Johnson had made unwanted sexual advances towards Vale.

Kitchin told the court that Vale visited Johnson's rectory on November 12 and the priest gave him a pair of pants to try on. Kitchin told the court that the pants could not fit, and while his client was removing the garment he was attacked by Johnson, who was allegedly nude and sexually aroused at the time. In fending off Johnson's advances, the attorney went on, Vale took up a knife and stabbed the priest. He added that during the melee, Vale stabbed himself in the leg.

Johnson's nude body was found on November 12 lying on a stairwell with several stab wounds to the left side of his upper body. Investigators say Vale was seen running away from the rectory minutes after the priest was heard crying out for help.

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