A man accused of murdering a woman in West Cumbria has appeared in front of a judge at Carlisle Crown Court.
Paul Irwin, 50, of George Street, Whitehaven, faces two charges.
One alleges that he murdered 34-year-old Tiffany Render on March 22. A second charge alleges a sexual assault on Ms Render on the same date.
Both charges were brought as part of an investigation which began after officers were called to a property on George Street in Whitehaven at around 11.45pm on Friday.
Irwin made his first court appearance yesterday in front of magistrates who remanded him into custody.
This afternoon, Irwin appeared at Carlisle Crown Court, remotely, over a prison video link.
During a 10-minute hearing in front of Judge Nicholas Barker in court three of the building, short-haired Irwin spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and to state that he could hear proceedings clearly.
He was wearing a black and white Fred Perry T-shirt with a large tattoo visible on his right arm.
He listened as prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC outlined a timetable of dates for future progression of the case.
No pleas were entered by Irwin to either of the charges he faces.
A provisional trial date with a 10-day time estimate was listed for November 12 this year. This was the first date in the court calendar on which a High Court judge would be available to hear the case.
Irwin’s barrister, Brendan Burke, told the hearing that no bail application was being made at this stage as full instructions had not yet been taken.
Irwin was remanded in custody and is next due to appear at the crown court on April 23. On that date, pleas to the two charges could be entered.
Irwin’s crown court appearance came just hours after Cumbria police issued a tribute to Miss Render on behalf of her relatives.
They said: “It is with great sadness that Tiffany has so tragically been taken from us. Tiffany will be sorely missed by her whole family. We will treasure every memory of her.”
- There are no reporting restrictions in relation to the naming of Miss Render in the sexual assault charge. Automatic restrictions only apply in the complainant’s lifetime.
