Woman, 63, faces murder trial
SHE HAS BEEN REMANDED IN CUSTODY UNTIL NEXT COURT APPEARANCE
A WOMAN accused of murdering a man thought to be her father will go on trial later this year.
Barbara Coombes, 63, appeared during a brief hearing at Manchester Crown Court yesterday morning. She is accused of murdering Kenneth Coombes 12 years ago, as well as preventing his lawful and decent burial.
Ms Coombes, who wore a grey woolly jumper and black spectacles, spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and nationality.
Human remains found in the garden of a home in Matlock Road, Reddish, have not yet been formally identified.
The results of a Home Office postmortem examination to establish the cause of death have not been disclosed by Greater Manchester Police.
The case was adjourned until April 3, when a plea and trial preparation hearing will be held in the same court.
A trial, which is expected to last two weeks, has also been scheduled for July 9.
Judge David Stockdale QC remanded the defendant in custody until the next hearing.
Ms Coombes is charged with four offences.
She is accused of the murder of Kenneth Coombes in Stockport on January 7, 2006.
She is also charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of his body, between January 8, 2006, and January 10, 2018.
Ms Coombes is also charged with one count of fraud by false representation between January 15, 2007, and January 10, 2018, namely that she dishonestly made a false representation by sending official letters in the name of Kenneth Coombes intending to make a gain, claiming monies not belonging to her, for her own use.
The fourth charge is obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception. The charge alleges that Ms Coombes was ‘given the opportunity to earn remuneration or greater remuneration in an office or employment by deception, namely by falsely representing that you were a carer for Kenneth Coombes.’