Woman pleads not guilty to murdering 'well-loved' father-of-six on Christmas Day
Kirsty Carless appears at Stafford Crown Court with murder trial set for summer
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A woman is set to face trial after pleading not guilty to murdering a “well-loved” father-of-six on Christmas Day.
Kirsty Carless appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Friday charged with the murder of Louis Price on 25 December last year.
The 33-year-old, of Haling Way in Cannock, spoke only to confirm her name and to enter a not guilty plea to the single charge put to her during the 10-minute hearing.
Staffordshire Police said they were called to a report of a man in cardiac arrest at a property on Elm Road in Norton Canes, near Cannock, at around 3.25am and despite medical efforts Mr Price, 31, died a short time later.
Judge Kristina Montgomery KC set the date for a three-week trial at Stafford as 14 July and Carless was remanded into custody to appear again for a pre-trial review in the week commencing 12 May.
In a statement released through Staffordshire Police after his death, Mr Price’s family described him as a “well-known member of the community” who was “well-loved” and always smiling.
They said: “He always had time for anyone and would help anyone he could.
“Louis was a devoted fisherman, he had a passion for fishing and regularly went away on trips with friends and family.
“He loved football, he played for a team and was a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa.”
Police previously confirmed that a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following recent contact.