A Sheffield man has pleaded not guilty to murder after a victim was found shot and drenched in acid in Wigan.

Michael Hillier, 39, of Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, appeared in Manchester Crown Court today (27 March) following the death of Liam Smith, 38, of Kilburn Drive, Wigan, in November last year.

Rachel Fulstow, 37, of Andrew Drive, York, also appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice.

Mr Smith’s body was found on his own driveway in Wigan on 24 November last year.

The family of Mr Smith, who has two children, aged 11 and 15, said: “Two young boys will now have to spend the rest of their lives without their adoring father, and the rest of our family will be forever haunted by this senseless act.”

They added, he was a: “Dearly loved, Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Grandson and Friend.”

Mr Hillier has been held in custody since his arrest.

The trial is set to begin on July 10 and is estimated to last three weeks.

Both Mr Hillier and Ms Fulstow will be appearing in court via a video link as the trial continues.