A 44-YEAR-OLD man has denied the murder of a hairdresser who was found with stab wounds outside a Newcastle salon.

Mother-of-three Sharon Bell, of Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, was found in the doorway outside the New York hair salon on May 23.

The 38-year-old had been repeatedly stabbed and died shortly after in hospital.

Brian Whitfield, 44, of no fixed abode, today appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where he entered a not guilty plea.

He was remanded in custody until his trial which has been set for October 24.