Latest news with #MichaelDoherty
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Barmaid's family see her alleged killer for the first time at court hearing after the 21-year-old was found dead in house
A dead young woman's family saw her alleged murderer for the first time as they attended court this morning. Grieving relatives of Courtney Angus, 21, were accompanied by a police family liaison officer for the first appearance in crown court of suspected murderer Michael Doherty, 37. The barmaid, who worked at the Fox and Hounds Pub, in Batley, was discovered dead at the end terrace property on Norfolk Street after odd-job man Doherty had been arrested by police for allegedly shoplifting electrical items from Asda and threatening staff with a knife. Doherty is also alleged to have threatened two police officers with the bladed weapon. Doherty - AKA Moore - is charged with the murder of Courtney at his home in Norfolk Street, Batley, West Yorkshire, on 26 July. Appearing via video link from HMP Leeds, Doherty, 37, wearing a prison issue yellow and green jump suit answered 'no' when asked by the court clerk 'are you Michael Moore?' Judge Tom Bayliss KC, after being informed by defence barrister Richard Wright KC that he uses another surname, asked him 'Are you Michael Doherty?' - to which he replied 'yes'. No plea or indication of plea was taken and the case was listed for trial at Leeds Crown Court on 26 January 2026. No bail application was made and Doherty was remanded in custody. It was the first time her family have been to court as they weren't at his first magistrates court hearing. District Judge Charlotte Holland told him at the previous hearing on Wednesday that the murder offences and knife matters are too serious to be heard at magistrates' court. Turning to Courtney's family sitting in the public gallery, Judge Bayliss told them today: 'Thank you very much for your attendance today. It must be a very difficult time for you, indeed. 'I'm sorry that it is so very formal here, but you would expect that, I'm sure.' No cause of death for Courtney has yet been released. Earlier this week, Courtney's family paid tribute to her, stating: 'Our lives have been shattered and turned upside down with the news that no parent wants to hear - that our gorgeous daughter and sister is no longer with us. 'Courtney had a beautiful soul. She was a lover of music, socialising and having fun. Her whole family is heartbroken over the loss of such an amazing woman. 'Courtney had many friends and family who loved her. She will be missed so dearly. 'We would like to thank the community and the media for their support, and ask for privacy at this difficult time.' Staff at the Fox and Hounds also paid tribute, writing: 'We are heartbroken to hear the devastating news about Courtney. 'Though she was only with us at The Fox for a short while, she left a lasting impression - sweet, kind, and always with a warm smile.' Father-of-three Doherty, who has worked as a labourer and recently started a window cleaning round, is charged with the murder of Courtney Angus on 26 July. He is also charged with possession of a bladed article, two charges of threatening police officers with a bladed article, affray, shop theft from Asda of electrical items to value unknown, and threatening a member of Asda staff with a bladed article. All charges relate to 26 July. Police said these charges relate to incidents in Dewsbury on the same day. Doherty will next appear at Leeds Crown Court on 5 September for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
The Independent
01-08-2025
- The Independent
Man appears in court accused of murdering woman, 21, found dead in house
A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a woman who was found dead in a house in West Yorkshire. Courtney Angus, 21, was discovered at an address in Norfolk Street in Batley on Saturday. On Friday, Michael Moore, who uses the name Michael Doherty, made his first appearance before a crown court judge. The 37-year-old, of Norfolk Street in Batley, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link from prison, and spoke only to say his name was Michael Doherty rather than Michael Moore – the name used by the police. He was not asked to enter pleas during the hearing, and was remanded in custody until his next appearance for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Leeds Crown Court on September 5. Judge Tom Bayliss KC set a date of January 26 for the trial, which is expected to last five days. Officers were called to reports of an armed robbery at Asda in Dewsbury at 9.20pm on Saturday. They arrested a man, who told officers about a woman who he believed to be dead inside a house on Norfolk Street in Batley. A knife was seized at the scene, police said. Officers attended the address in Batley and found Ms Angus, from Dewsbury. Moore/Doherty is charged with murdering Ms Angus, and with possession of a bladed article, affray and two counts of threatening a person with a bladed article in a public place. Police said these charges relate to incidents in Dewsbury on the same day. After her death was confirmed, Ms Angus's family released a statement which said: 'Our lives have been shattered and turned upside down with the news that no parent wants to hear – that our gorgeous daughter and sister is no longer with us. 'Courtney had a beautiful soul. She was a lover of music, socialising and having fun. Her whole family is heartbroken over the loss of such an amazing woman.'
