A MAN accused of murdering Breightmet mum Maggie Smythe has appeared in court for the first time.

During a brief 30 second hearing at Bolton Magistrates’ Court Christopher Taylor, dressed in a grey sweatshirt, spoke only to confirm his name and address.

The court heard that Taylor had been charged with murdering Margaret Jean Smythe on January 26.

No application for bail was made and Taylor, aged 39, of Greenroyd Avenue, Breightmet, was remanded in custody until Wednesday, when he will appear again at Manchester Crown Court.

Several members of Taylor’s family were in the public gallery for the hearing and members of Miss Smythe’s family were also at court.

Chairman of the bench, Mrs Sara Moreton, told Taylor: “This matter is so serious it can only be heard at the Crown Court.

“You are remanded in custody to appear at the Manchester Crown Court in Crown Square on Wednesday.”

Miss Smythe, a 29-year-old cleaner at Bolton Interchange, has a three-year-old daughter. She was last seen by her mother in the early hours of January 26 after arriving back at her Swinside Road home following a night out.

Her family started searching for her and on January 31 the police began a major search operation near the former Red Bridge Inn, in Bury Old Road, on the Ainsworth and Breightmet border.

A body, believed to be that of Miss Smythe, was found on Friday.