A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a “kind-hearted” mum.
Andrew Bell, 44, is accused of killing Leanne Park, 44, in Darlington last month.
Leanne, who worked at Ventress Hall care home, was found dead in a flat above The Greyhound pub on Parkgate after emergency crews were called on September 23.
Leanne Park was found dead above a pub in Darlington
Judge Francis Laird KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, said: “I will adjourn your case for trial and will be tried by a High Court Judge, yet to be determined.”
Bell was remanded in custody until his trial on March 8, 2027.
A 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail.
Floral tributes at the scene
Floral tributes for Leanne, who her family called the “best mam, nana, daughter and friend”, continue to grow outside the pub.
One tribute reads: “Leanne, you were taken too soon. You will be forever missed.”
Another reads: “RIP to my bestest friend. I will miss you forever.”
On September 26, Leanne’s family paid tribute to her.
They said in a statement: “She was loved by everyone and would do anything for anyone.
“She was the life and soul of the party and loved to dance.
“We love her so much and miss her more than words can describe. We are completely devastated. Her death has ripped the heart out of our family.
“We are grateful for all the kind messages and the support since her death. We ask that everyone remembers her for the kind-hearted woman she was.”
Colleagues at Darlington’s Ventress Hall care home said Leanne would “do anything for anybody”.
The Black Swan on Parkgate in Darlington
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On Friday, The Black Swan lost its licence to sell alcohol after police identified “significant licensing management failings” before Ms Park’s alleged murder.
Durham Police applied for reviews of the licences for The Greyhound and The Black Swan, both on Parkgate, after investigating Ms Park’s death.
At a Darlington Council Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee meeting, members reviewed The Black Swan’s premises licence and revoked it.