Man admits lying about missing woman's body

Victoria Cherry of Fulwood, Preston. Her body was found in Bolton

Andrew Reade, 43, pleaded guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice at Bolton Crown Court.

Victoria Cherry’s body was found at Reade’s one-bedroom flat in Toronto Street in January, having been stored in an airing cupboard.

The 44-year-old mother-of-three and grandmother from Fulwood had been missing for more than a year.

A court heard how Reade lied to officers, a pharmacist and family members about not knowing where Ms Cherry was.

Reade also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of preventing a lawful and decent burial between October 15, 2015, and January 16 of this year.

He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on April 13.

He is due to be seen by a forensic psychiatrist from Prestwich Hospital’s Edenfield Centre before sentencing.

The court heard how investigations into the death of Ms Cherry were ongoing and Reade might face new charges in the future.

Police are awaiting the findings of a pathologist report and the findings of an anthropologist.

His Honour Judge Stead said: “Evidently the length of time which this body appears to have been resting in an airing cupboard will make things very difficult.”

Victoria was described by her niece Samantha Mitchell as a “bubbly character”.

She had been reported missing in October.