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Man in court charged with murder

John Fahey
4/ 8/2005

A GUILLOTINE operator has appeared in court charged with the murder of Accrington businessman David Guilfoyle.

Wearing a stained, short-sleaved shirt Shane Fitzpatrick, 35, of Lyndale Road, Hapton, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address when he appeared at Hyndburn Magistrates' Court last week.

His solicitor Graham Parkinson made no application for bail.

The case was adjourned for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday 2 November at Preston Crown Court.

Mr Guilfoyle, 35, vanished from his £230,000 Royds Avenue bungalow on Wednesday 25 May.

Traces of his blood were found at the scene but police have not yet recovered his body.

Despite the charge, police have not scaled down their investigation.

Detective Super-intendent Steve Brunskill, the leading officer, said the team of 25 detectives are still investigating leads and information obtained during the nine-week inquiry.

He said: "The incident room is still live and our attempts to recover Mr Guilfoyle's body continue."

He added that detectives will be liaising with the National Crime Operations Faculty to expand the search for the body.

In addition to a £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and imprisonment of the killer, police offered another reward for information leading to the recovery of Mr Guilfoyle's body.

Call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 or ring the incident room on 353626 or 353615.