A man has appeared in court accused of the murder of a young woman found stabbed to death in a flat in Manchester.
Michael Marler, 37, appeared on crutches, wearing a body brace around his torso and over his grey tracksuit as he stood in the dock flanked by two prison guards, during the brief hearing at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court.
He is accused of the murder of Danielle Richardson, 24, whose body was discovered at a flat in Ancoats in Manchester city centre early on Tuesday.
Police were called around 7.40am to reports that a man had jumped from the second floor window of the building on Swan Street and landed on the roof of a parked car, smashing the windscreen, then fled on foot before smashing the window of a black BMW and several other cars.
Marler, of Brideoak Street, Oldham, is also charged with attempted robbery, assault and three counts of causing damage to motor vehicles.
Police later found the body of Ms Richardson, from Oldham, inside the flat nearby.
A post mortem examination revealed the victim, described by her family as a “loving and caring mother, sister, daughter and auntie” had died from multiple stab injuries.
Chair of the bench Terri Farrow remanded the defendant in custody for a first appearance at Manchester Crown Court on February 20.
Marler smiled weakly and waved to what appeared to be family members in the public gallery as he was taken down.