Murder accused in court after Yorkshire mother killed

A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a young mother-of-two in West Yorkshire.

Jordan Thackray, 27, is accused of killing 23-year-old Jessica King, whose body was found at an address in Siddal, Halifax, on Sunday afternoon.

He appeared briefly at Bradford Magistrates’ Court yesterday dressed in a prison issue grey jumpsuit.

The case was adjourned to be heard at Bradford Crown Court on Friday. No indication of plea was given during the hearing and no application for bail was heard.

Thackray, of East Grange View, Leeds, will remain in custody until his next appearance in court.

Members of Ms King’s family were present at yesterday’s hearing. They shouted at Thackray has he was taken down into custody by guards.

West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team began the investigation after officers were called to a property in Oxford Lane at 3.15pm on Sunday. Two men, aged 27 and 26, were later arrested in Leeds on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident.

Thackray was charged, but the 26-year-old man has been released pending further enquiries. Ms King’s family have not spoken but neighbour Rita Martin described her as a “nice, normal mum”.

Neighbours said Ms King’s youngest child was born in March and the eldest was around four.