Pair plead GUILTY to dumping woman's dead body on footpath
25.08.2023 - 11:31
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man and woman have pleaded guilty to taking a woman's dead body out of a flat and dumping it on a footpath.
Kerry Newman's body was found near Ashfield Valley Primary School and the Sandbrook Retail Park in Rochdale on the morning of July 17. The 40-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene on New Barn Lane.
Her cause of death is unascertained, Manchester Magistrates’ Court previously heard.
Join our FREE Manchester Crime and Court WhatsApp group by clicking here
Robert Halliwell, 48, and Melanie Bullen, 52, appeared over videolink at Minshull Street Crown Court this morning (August 25).
During a pre-trial and preparation hearing before Judge Tina Landale, both Halliwell and Bullen entered guilty pleas to doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice, namely moving the dead body of Ms Newman from a flat and disposing of it on a public footpath.
The case was adjourned for sentence on September 15 after defence counsel asked for presentence reports to be prepared by the probation service.
Michael Johnson, for Bullen, said: “I ask for the sentence to be adjourned for the preparation of presentence reports. Plainly it is a serious case and she has not been before the court.”
Addressing both, Judge Landale said: “Both of you will remain in custody, the time served will count toward the sentence you will ultimately receive.”
Before the hearing, both Bullen and Halliwell could be seen signing ‘I love you’ over the link.
In a previous tribute, Kerry’s mother and stepfather described her as "a loving daughter and mother of two boys, taken away from us too soon. She is now in heaven with the angels, rest in peace our beautiful girl.”