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Woman denies murder of ‘well-loved’ father-of-six on Christmas Day

Kirsty Carless, 33, appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to murdering Louis Price, 31.

Stephanie Wareham
Friday 31 January 2025 06:02 EST
Louis Price died in the early hours of Christmas Day (Staffordshire Police/PA)
Louis Price died in the early hours of Christmas Day (Staffordshire Police/PA) (PA Media)

A woman has denied murdering a father-of-six on Christmas Day.

Kirsty Carless appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Friday charged with the murder of “well-loved” Louis Price on December 25 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 July 14 and Carless was remanded into custody to appear again for a pre-trial review in the week commencing May 12.

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.”

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