TWO women have denied murdering East Lancashire businesswoman Sadie Hartley who was stabbed to death at her Helmshore home in January.

Sarah Williams, 34, and Katrina Walsh, 56, appeared by videolink at Preston Crown Court from HMP New Hall, Wakefield, and HMP Styal in Greater Manchester respectively where they are being held on suspicion of Miss Hartley’s murder.

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Ski rep Williams, dressed in a cream top and with shoulder length red hair, paused briefly before answering “not guilty” to the single charge of murder put to her.

Walsh, wearing a black top and beanie hat, also faltered as she entered her not guilty plea to the same charge.

Members of Miss Hartley’s family including her daughter Charlotte, 23, and son Harry, 22, sat in the public gallery throughout the 50 minute hearing.

They kept a dignified silence as the women accused of murdering their mother appeared on the court room screens.

Mum-of-two Miss Hartley, 60, who ran a medical communications business, was found dead at her £450,000 home in Sunnybank Road, Helmshore on January 15, after worked colleagues raised concerns she had not turned up to work.

A post mortem revealed she had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Walsh and Williams were arrested in the days that followed but deny killing the company director.

Williams, of Blacon, Chester, and Walsh, of Hare Lane, Chester, will return to court on July 4 to stand trial.