Man accused of Earls Barton murder denied bail

A man accused of killing his wife in Earls Barton has been told he will not be let out of prison before his trial.

Mike Reader, 69, of Booth Rise, Northampton stands accused of murder after his wife Marion Price, a former Northants County Council worker, was discovered shot dead in a car park off Elderton Way in Earls Barton on December 15, 2019.

He first appeared before the courts in December and was denied bail. His co-defendant Stephen Welch, 60, of Addlecroft Close, Kingsthorpe was also remanded in custody back in December.

This morning (Friday, March 20) Reader made a fresh application for bail in a hearing at Northampton Crown Court just two days before mothers' day.

He was not granted bail and will remain in prison until his next hearing before the courts.

Although journalists are normally allowed to observe hearings held in chambers, reporters were denied access to this morning's hearing held before His Honour Judge Mayo.

A trial has been set for June.