A MAN has denied helping to dispose of body parts and clothing following the murder of Breightmet mum Maggie Smythe.

At Bolton Crown Court Brian Ottley, aged 29, of Greenroyd Avenue, Breightmet, appeared via a video link from Manchester prison.

He faces two charges — assisting an offender and committing acts intended to pervert the course of justice.

The first charge, of assisting an offender, states that, on January 27 this year he helped to dispose of Ms Smythe’s body “with intent to impede the apprehension of Christopher Taylor” who is accused of murdering the 29-year-old mum-of-one.

In the second charge Ottley is said to have tried to pervert the course of justice by helping to “dispose of body parts and clothing relating to the murder of Margaret Smythe” between January 26 and February 14 this year.

Ottley pleaded not guilty to both offences and was remanded in custody.

Christopher Taylor, aged 39, of Greenroyd Avenue, Bolton, is accused of murdering Ms Smythe, who was known as Maggie to her family and friends.

Both men are due to stand trial at Bolton Crown Court on July 29. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Police launched an investigation after Ms Smythe, who has a three-year-old daughter, went missing from her home in Swinside Road, Breightmet, on Saturday January 26.

Her body was found on February 1. After a major police search her remains were discovered at the rear of the derelict Red Bridge Inn, Red Lane, Breightmet.

Christopher Taylor first appeared at Bolton Magistrates’ Court on February 4 after being charged with murdering Ms Smythe, who worked as a cleaner at Bolton Interchange.

Friends of Ms Smythe have rallied round and set up a Go Fund Me Page to help pay for her funeral, which has raised almost £1,500 so far.

Organiser Kiera Allardice described herself as “heartbroken” and said she was determined to give her friend a funeral “fit for a queen”.