Husband denies murdering wife whose body was found stored at Wakefield house

A husband has denied murdering his wife whose body was only discovered weeks later at her home in Wakefield.

David Barraclough, 45, appeared at Leeds Crown Court this afternoon where he formally entered a not-guilty plea.

A psychiatrist’s report assessed that Barraclough was fit for trial.

The body of 37-year-old Carolann Barraclough was found at the property in Horbury in March following concerns for her welfare.

Heavily-tattooed David Barraclough, dressed in prison-issue clothing, appeared in court over a video link from HMP Leeds where he is being held on remand. He was remanded back into custody following the brief hearing.

A trial date has been confirmed for October 5.

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It is expected to last around two weeks.

Police attended at a property Ken Churchill Drive in Horbury on Thursday, March 5, after officers received a report fearing for Mrs Barraclough’s safety.

Following a search, her body was found. It was thought she had died weeks earlier, sometime between February 19 and 21.