Inquest opens into woman's death ahead of trial

The inquest into the death of a woman at a house in Bradford has been adjourned to allow a murder trial to take place.

The full hearing for Michelle Egge-Bailey, 54, will not resume at Bradford Coroner's Court until legal proceedings against Stephen Lawton have concluded.

Mr Lawton, 45, has been charged with her murder and will go on trial in August.

The brief opening on Thursday heard that Ms Egge-Bailey died at a house on Airedale Avenue in Cottingley on 11 March.

Senior coroner Martin Fleming said police were called to the property over a concern for safety.

Ms Egge-Bailey, who was originally from Kent, was found with serious injuries and pronounced dead.

She was divorced and was not in work due to ill health.

Mr Lawton, of no fixed abode, is due to enter a plea at Bradford Crown Court on 21 July. He has been remanded in custody.

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