Man and woman appear in court after woman’s body found in Rochdale

A man and woman have appeared in court after a woman’s body was found in Rochdale.

Kerry Newman's body was found on a footpath near Ashfield Valley Primary School and the Sandbrook Retail Park on Monday morning (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 heard.

Join our FREE Manchester Crime and Court WhatsApp group by clicking here

Robert Halliwell, 48, and Melanie Bullen, 52, both appeared separately at the dock in the court today (July 21).

They are both charged with committing an act or series of acts to pervert the course of justice, namely moving the dead body of a female from a flat and disposing of it on a public footpath, official court records read.

No pleas were entered during the hearing. The court heard there is an ongoing investigation into the death of Ms Newman.

The case for both Mr Halliwell and Ms Bullen was adjourned to August 25, for a preliminary hearing to be heard at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.

Deputy District Judge John Rowan told Ms Bullen: “This matter can only be dealt with at the Crown Court, it is too serious to be dealt with here.

“The circumstances are still being investigated by the police. The report from the home office pathologist a number of days ago said the cause of death of this lady is unascertained.

“I’m not sure what is to come further down the line in relation to the death of this lady.”

Mr Halliwell, of Onley, Freehold, Rochdale, and Ms Bullen, of Shirburn, Freehold, Rochdale, were both remanded into custody until the next hearing.