Photo: Anne Marie Cropper
Ian Gordon, 51, of Royal Terrace, Southport, is charged with her murder.
Today Gorgon appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from Walton Prison.
Gordon pleaded not guilty to murder and also denied an alternative charge of manslaughter.
Nigel Power, QC, prosecuting, said the murder trial is estimated to last 10 days.
Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said the trial will begin on Tuesday, March 8 next year.
The judge remanded Gordon in custody.
The family of murdered Anne Marie Cropper have paid tribute to an ‘amazing, loving lady’
The family of Anne Marie Cropper have paid tribute to an “amazing, loving lady” after her murder.
Ms Cropper was found dead in a flat on Royal Terrace, Southport , in the early hours of Thursday morning (September 10 2015).
Ms Cropper’s family said: “Our mum was an amazing loving lady who left us all too soon.
“Her smile and laughs will be greatly missed by all.
“A much loved daughter, sister, mother and grandma.”
The 47-year-old had died from head and chest injuries according to a preliminary post mortem examination.
Ian Gordon, 51 of Royal Terrace, Southport, has since been charged with her murder.
He remains in custody, remanded to appear at Sefton Magistrates Court on Monday morning, September 14.
Man arrested following the discovery of a woman’s body in Southport
Merseyside Police can confirm officers were called to flats in Southport after the body of a woman was found this morning (Thursday, 10 September).
Officers were called to a flat on Royal Terrace, at around 5.15am, to a report of an unexplained death.
Patrols attended and found the body of a woman in her 40s in the property.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Her next of kin are in the process of being informed although no formal identification has taken place at this stage.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course to establish the cause of the woman’s death. Detectives in Sefton CID have now launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances.
Detective Inspector Cheryl Rhodes said: “Our enquiries into this incident are still at a very early stage and we are working hard to establish the full circumstances.
“I would appeal to anyone with information about the incident, however small, to get in touch with us as a matter of urgency.”
The property remains cordoned-off to allow a forensic examination of the scene and house-to-house inquiries are being carried out.
A 51-year-old man from Southport has been arrested in relation to the incident. He has been taken to a police station on Merseyside where he will be questioned by officers.
Anyone with information is urged to call detectives in Sefton CID on 0151 777 3055, or via 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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