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Man charged with murder after woman killed in Aldi stabbing Man appears in court after woman killed in Aldi stabbing
(about 17 hours later)
A man has been charged with murder after a supermarket employee was stabbed to death in an aisle at work. A man has appeared in court charged with murder after a supermarket employee was stabbed to death in an aisle at work.
Jodie Willsher, 30, was attacked at an Aldi in Skipton, North Yorkshire, on Thursday. Neville Hord, 44, appeared at York magistrates court on Saturday, where he was remanded in custody after a hearing lasting three minutes. He will appear again at Leeds crown court on 28 December.
Her husband Malcolm has since described the 30-year-old as “lovely and warm”, and always having a smile on her face. “She was amazing, beautiful and a lovely person. She was a doting mother and a loving wife,” he added. Hord, from Bradford, stood in the dock flanked by two security officers. He spoke only to give his name and confirm his date of birth and address. There were no family members in court.
North Yorkshire police said the 44-year-old man will appear at York magistrates court on 23 December. Jodie Willsher, 30, was attacked at an Aldi in Skipton, North Yorkshire, on Thursday. Her husband, Malcolm, has since described the 30-year-old as “lovely and warm”, and always having a smile on her face. “She was amazing, beautiful and a lovely person. She was a doting mother and a loving wife,” he added.
Willsher was working in the store when she was attacked on Thursday afternoon. She died at the scene despite efforts by medics to save her.Willsher was working in the store when she was attacked on Thursday afternoon. She died at the scene despite efforts by medics to save her.
A witness who did not want to be named described hearing “loads of screams” and seeing a woman lying on the floor and a man pinned down as “everyone screamed and ran”.
“I just saw the aftermath, I was so scared I ran off. All the staff were racing about not knowing what to do,” she said.
Willsher was married with a young daughter. Her cousin Chris Swales posted on social media: “We lost a beautiful, fun-loving and caring person. How can life be so cruel?Willsher was married with a young daughter. Her cousin Chris Swales posted on social media: “We lost a beautiful, fun-loving and caring person. How can life be so cruel?
“A [selfish] act by one person has left a husband without a wife and a little girl without her mother. You weren’t just my cousin Jodie, you were like the sister I never had and now I’m broken you’ve gone. Be the brightest star in the sky and sleep tight.”“A [selfish] act by one person has left a husband without a wife and a little girl without her mother. You weren’t just my cousin Jodie, you were like the sister I never had and now I’m broken you’ve gone. Be the brightest star in the sky and sleep tight.”
Andy Rankine, the town’s mayor, said Skipton was a small but close-knit community where most people knew each other. “The whole town is in shock and grieving over the loss of Jodie. Christmas this year will an ordeal for many residents,” he said. Colin Breslin, regional managing director at Aldi, said Willsher was a “much loved and popular colleague”, and that they were all deeply shocked and saddened by her murder. A spokesman said the branch would be closed for the foreseeable future.
An Aldi spokesman said the branch would be closed for the foreseeable future. A police guard remained at the scene overnight, and a growing pile of flowers and tributes were left at the store by locals. Flowers and tributes have been left at the store.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire police said they were called to the scene at 3.27pm on Thursday. “The suspect was initially detained by brave members of staff and public before he was arrested by officers who were quickly on scene,” they said.
“He was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder, but it has now turned into a murder investigation despite the efforts of medics to save the victim. The woman’s family are being supported by police officers while inquiries continue.”