Kyle Howard, 26, has pleaded not guilty to murdering 44-year-old Keeley Aspinall, who was found dead in a flat in Rochdale.
Court appearance and trial date
Howard appeared at Manchester Crown Court on August 19, where he denied the single charge of murder. He was remanded in custody by Judge Suzanne Goddard KC. His trial is scheduled to begin in November, with a further pre-trial hearing set for October.
Prosecutor Rachel Faux represented the case, while Dan Gaskell appeared for the defence.
Details of the incident
Police were called to a property on Tweedale Street in Rochdale's Freehold estate on May 25 following reports of a concern for welfare. Ms Aspinall, known to friends as Kiki, was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a tribute released through Greater Manchester Police, her family said: "Gone too soon.. we can’t believe you are gone. We will always love you and miss you, love all your family xx."
A friend told the Manchester Evening News that Ms Aspinall was 'like a sister', adding: "She was the best friend anyone could ask for. I'm going to miss her so much, she will always be in my heart."
Howard, of Tweedale Street, Rochdale, is due to stand trial in November.
