Paedophile suspect death: Man remanded

George Crawford had denied abusing children

A 41-year-old man charged with the murder of an alleged paedophile has been remanded in custody by magistrates in Greater Manchester.

Martin Goldrick from Rochdale made only a brief appearance at Manchester Crown Court.

Mr Goldrick, from Rhodes Crescent in Kirkholt, was remanded to re-appear at Manchester Crown Court on 28 January.

He is accused of the murder of George Crawford, 64, who was found battered to death at his home on the Kirkholt estate in Rochdale on 21 December.

Mr Crawford, who was partially blind, had been due to appear at Manchester Crown Court next month.

He would have faced trial on 10 charges that he abused children in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

He had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and had no previous convictions for sexual abuse.