A woman accused of murdering a man at a block of flats in Allerton, Bradford, is to contest the allegation, a court heard today.

Alexia Heckles, 35, appeared for the first time at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard she faced a charge of murdering Scott Dunne, at Rosemary Gardens, Allerton.

Mr Dunne, 41, died at the scene from serious head injuries after being discovered at the flat in the early hours of Saturday.

Heckles’ solicitor, Tahir Ayub, told the court his client denied the allegation.

Mr Ayub said: “For the record, the allegation of murder is denied and will be contested at trial in due course.”

A number of members of Mr Dunne’s family were in the public gallery, along with senior detectives and police family liaison officers, for the brief two-minute hearing.