Pc remanded over fiancee murder

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/8181577.stm

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A police officer has appeared in court accused of murdering his fiancee, who was also a police constable.

Martin Forshaw, 27, an officer with Cheshire Police, is accused of the murder of Claire Howarth, 31, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Pc Howarth died in hospital following a car crash in Bolton on 7 May, days before they were due to marry.

Mr Forshaw, from Tottington, Bury, was remanded in custody at Manchester Crown Court and will reappear on 5 October.

The Cheshire officer did not enter a plea during the short hearing on Monday. A provisional trial date of 23 November has already been set by the court.

A post-mortem examination revealed Miss Howarth died as a result of "severe head trauma".

She had recently completed her probationary period with GMP and was due to take up a position as a community beat manager in Rochdale.