A MAN accused of murdering a Redcar mother-of-six has appeared at Sheffield Crown Court.

Liam Murray is charged with one count of murder and a further count of possession of a bladed article – a kitchen knife.

He was arrested following the death of Stacey Cooper on New Year's Eve

A murder investigation was launched by Cleveland Police after the 34-year-old was found dead in a property on Malham Gill in Redcar, pictured below.

The Northern Echo:

Murray, of Whitby Avenue, Guisborough, appeared at the South Yorkshire crown court via videolink yesterday following an initial brief appearance at Teesside Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

No plea was indicated during the brief hearing.

The 27-year-old was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday, January 29.

Ms Cooper was the latest person to be allegedly murdered during a tragic festive period on Teesside this year with Cleveland Police launching four murder investigations in less than a week.

Her devastated family issued a statement through police, saying: "Stacey was a wonderful mother and the loss of her to her children is unimaginable.”