Steven Dunks denies the murder of Lynn Howarth from Heywood

Photo: Google Maps

Boleyn Court, Heywood

Steven Dunks, (03/06/1969) of Milnrow Road, Shaw has denied a charge of the murder of Lynn Howarth from Heywood.

Dunks is alleged to have flown into a drunken rage and beaten Ms Howarth, 43, at her home after she started a relationship with another man.

On 26 July 2014, Dunks and Ms Howarth had been drinking in Heywood town centre. It is claimed that they left separately with Dunks following her home where he carried out the alleged attack.

It is claimed that after Dunks killed Ms Howarth he stole her mobile phone and bank card. He then spent the next few months pretending to be Ms Howarth, sending messages to her family and friends as well as clearing out her account.

Ms Howarth’s body was only discovered in August, almost a month after the alleged murder took place. Neighbours notified police of swarming flies and a strong odour coming from the flat on Boleyn Court.

Her decomposed body was then found on the kitchen floor.

It is understood that Dunks and Ms Howarth had known each other since they were children through growing up on neighbouring streets in Heywood.

Manchester Crown Court heard that the pair had been in an on-off relationship since 2013 but Dunks was also seeing another woman at the time.

Prosecuting Robert Hall said: “Mr Dunks ran his affairs in such a way that he was on rotation between two girlfriends. When he got fired up with one of them, he would go and stay with the other one.”

Diary entries from Ms Howarth showed that she had become frustrated with the situation and wanted to break the cycle.

The court heard that Ms Howarth met paramedic Anthony Berry on Facebook but Dunks was riled by their relationship and turned up at her flat threatening the pair.

He is alleged to have shouted: “I love her and I would rather see her dead than with anyone else.”

The trail continues.

http://rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/89146/steven-dunks-has-been-charged-with-murder