Woman charged with murder following horror stabbing in flat pictured for the first time
Liam Collier tragically died despite the best efforts of paramedics after the incident.
A woman has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a man in a flat has been pictured for the first time.
Kayleigh Smart, 39, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Monday, May 5, charged with murdering Liam Collier, 34, who died shortly after the horror incident in Haydock, Merseyside, on May 2.
In a brief appearance lasting five minutes, Smart only spoke to confirm her name and date of birth to the court, while her solicitor said she was of no fixed abode. The clerk of court put the charge of murder to her before adding: "This charge is indictable only, which means it can only be dealt with at the crown court."
The court was told neither the Crown Prosecution Service nor her legal representation had anything else to say at this early stage. Maureen Lewis, chairing a bench of three magistrates, told her the case would be formally heard at Liverpool Crown Court, the Liverpool ECHO reports.
Smart is due to return to court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Wednesday, May 7. The magistrates' court does not have any power to release her on bail due to the severity of the charge. She nodded as she was instructed to follow the dock officer.
The hearing this morning was also attended by a representative from the Probation Service and two police officers. No family members of either Smart or Mr Collier were in attendance.
Police and the ambulance service were called to a property in Haydock just after 10.30pm on Friday. It was confirmed a short while later that Mr Collier had tragically died.
His family said via a statement issued by Merseyside Police's press office: "Liam, you were taken far too soon. You will be loved and missed always and forever. From all your family." They added a heart emoji and kisses.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Ball told the ECHO on Sunday: "Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the victim's family, and they are being supported by our specialist officers at this difficult time."
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A 40-year-old man from Liverpool was also arrested on Saturday in connection with the death, but has since been released on bail.
The property was cordoned off following the incident, with a white forensics tent erected in the front garden. Three police vehicles and a team of officers manned the entrances to the cordon while detectives carried out door-to-door enquiries.
A local resident told the ECHO at the scene he "saw the blue lights" at around 10.30pm before looking out of a window and seeing "about 10 police cars and ambulances".
He added: "I keep myself to myself. All the other neighbours were standing out here until 3am in the morning in their pyjamas watching it all. Put it this way: I could see the doctors trying to save him. It was going on for about an hour."
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