A 34-YEAR-OLD man today appeared in court, charged with wounding with intent and sexual assault following the death of a woman at Shelf.

Matthew Dean, of Soaper Lane, Shelf, appeared at Calderdale Magistrates' Court in Halifax to face charges of section 18 wounding and sexually assaulting a female.

Dean was arrested following the discovery of a woman's body at a bungalow in Soaper Lane on Saturday evening.

West Yorkshire Police said her death was being treated as suspicious.

Police today named the woman as 44-year-old Marie Johnston.

A spokesman said a post-mortem examination into Ms Johnston's death had been carried out but was inconclusive.

Inquiries into the incident were ongoing.

Dean's case was sent by magistrates to Bradford Crown Court.

He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on May 4.