A TRIAL date has been set for the man accused of murdering missing mum-of-two Katie Kenyon.

Dressed in a grey prison tracksuit, Andrew Burfield, 50, appeared in court over the video link from HMP Preston at a hearing held at Preston Crown Court this morning.

On Wednesday, Burfield, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, was charged with murdering Ms Kenyon – several days after he was initially arrest for kidnap, before being rearrested on suspicion of murder.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Andrew Burfield, 50, of Todmorden Road in Burnley, appearing by video-link from HMP Preston at Preston Crown Court.

The Padiham woman hasn’t been heard from since April 22, when she was seen getting into a silver Ford Transit van which headed towards Bolton-by-Bowland.

Officers are currently focusing their search on a specific area in the Forest of Bowland following a tip-off from a member of the public about seeing the vehicle in the area.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court the body of the alleged murder victim has yet to be recovered.

Addressing the defendant, His Honour Judge Simon Medland QC said: “This matter is now adjourned for a trial to begin on Monday, November 14.

“There will be a plea and trial preparation hearing on the Monday, August 22, which you must attend.

“At your trial you’ll have the right to give evidence and if you fail to do so that can be held against you.

“You must attend your trial and if you do not, the most likely outcome is it will simply proceed in your absence.

“If that happens your lawyers may have to leave the case, but the case will still proceed without any input from you or for you.”

Andrew Burfield simply responded: “Thank you, your honour.”