A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a Rossendale mum.

Paul O’Hara, 41, spoke only to give his name, age and address when he made a brief appearance yesterday at Burnley’s Magistrates’ Court.

The defendant, of Honiton Close, Heywood, is accused of murdering Cherylee Shennan, 40.

He also faces allegations of wounding DS Damian McAlister with intent to do him grievous bodily harm and assaulting DC Karen Kenworthy with intent to resist arrest.

O' Hara, who was wearing a dark coloured T-shirt in the dock, was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court for a preliminary hearing today. There was no bail application.

A post-mortem examination carried out on Tuesday confirmed Cherylee died of multiple stab wounds caused by a knife.

Paying tribute in a statement last night, her family said: “Cherylee was a precious and much-loved mum to Lucia, daughter to Betty and Tommy and special step-daughter to Karen and Johnny, sister to Chiyvonne, Ellen, Jordan, Declan and Toni and special aunty to Keilan.

“She was a life-long partner to Graham and adoring owner of her five beloved Akita dogs Chan, Diva, Billy, Trooper and Mia. We are all devastated that Cherylee has gone. She will be sorely missed but she will always be in our thoughts and in our hearts.”

Yesterday more flowers were laid at the scene by friends and relatives.

Two bouquets of flowers were tied to a post beside Ms Shennan’s front door, in Harman Avenue, where police offices yesterday removed tape that had cordoned the street off since she was attacked in the street on Monday.

In Fallbarn Crescent, several tributes and handwritten messages were left where, 48 hours before, forensics officers had erected a white tent in order to investigate the mum’s death.

Beside a pink teddy and plant was a card containing the words: “Chez, you were taken too soon. Thoughts are with Graham, Lucia and family. Love from Tom, Charlie, Lola xxx.” And with a bunch of flowers were the words: “RIP Chez. Rest in peace.”

Another card read simply: “In our thoughts. John, Cathy and Jack xxx.”