Ex-cage fighter to appear in court accused of Wigan mum's murder

Melissa Belshaw suffered what police described as “catastrophic” injuries in a frenzied knife attack at her Billinge home in May.

As well as the 32-year-old beautician's murder, Andrew Wadsworth, 36, of Cranfield Road, Hawkley Hall, is also accused of the attempted murder of one of several members of the public who tried in vain to save Melissa, issuing threats to kill, possession of a bladed article and two counts of assaulting police officers.

He was to appear by video link at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, and may be asked to enter pleas.

A provisional trial date of November 16 had previously been set. Wadsworth is currently remanded in custody.

Police were called to Melissa's home in Up Holland Road on Wednesday May 20 to find her fatally injured.

Officers later hailed the heroism of two passers-by who dashed into the house after hearing screams and intervened, one of whom was seriously injured.

Tributes were paid to Melissa, who lived with her 13-year-old daughter and was about to open a new beauty salon on Hallgate in Wigan town centre called The Lash Room.

Only days before her death she had been on social media expressing how excited she had been about the new business venture.