Man hid dead girlfriend in airing cupboard for a year
A man has admitted hiding the body of his dead girlfriend in an airing cupboard for over a year.
Andrew Colin Reade, 43, pleaded guilty to concealing the body of Victoria Cherry for 15 months when he appeared before a judge at Bolton Crown Court.
Afterwards, his neighbours on Toronto Street, a quiet Bolton cul-de-sac, paid tribute to Victoria, 44, and told of their horror that Reade had hidden his dark secret for so long.
They recall ‘a strange smell’ but said Reade insisted Victoria had left to stay with her mum. And he even invited them round for tea in his one-bedroom flat as her body decomposed in the closet, they claim.
But Victoria, whose death has left relatives heartbroken, had in fact not been by anyone since October 2015.
Her family filed a missing persons report and Greater Manchester Police officers found her body during a raid on January 16 this year.
Bolton Crown Court heard that police are still investigating the cause of her death.
Nick Ross, defending Reade, said:
He said there had been a post mortem but that police were still analysing toxicology results and making further investigations.
The court heard a psychiatrist would see Reade, who will await sentence on remand at Forest Bank Prison.
The defendant, who wore tracksuit trousers and a blue anorak, spoke only to enter guilty pleas to two charges.
The first was intending to prevent the lawful and decent burial of Victoria Cherry and concealing her body between October 1 2015 and January 16 2017.
And he admitted intending to pervert the course of justice by giving misleading and inaccurate information about the whereabouts of Victoria Cherry to police officers, pharmacists, and family members.
Reade, who was warned to expect a ‘custodial sentence of some length’, was remanded in custody until April 13.
Neighbours have told of their grief, shock - and disbelief that Reade managed to keep Victoria’s body hidden for so long.
After the hearing friends of the couple described Victoria as a ‘quiet and lovely’ mum and grandmother.
Gary Sleeman, 37, said the case had shocked the community, adding:
He said he had spent many hours at the house before the death - and had even stayed there as Reade’s friend since her disappearance.
He added:
Glen Kerwin, 54, lived next door to Reade for three years.
He said:
Glen, who would often watch fooball at Reade’s home, said: