A university has paid tribute to a popular student who died after being found injured in a street - while a Birstall man has been charged with her murder.

Bethany Fields, of Bramley, had just finished her second year of an environmental geography degree at the University of York.

She was discovered hurt in Huddersfield last Thursday.

A man accused of murdering the 21-year-old is expected to go on trial next year.

Prof Mark E Hodson, head of the department of environment and geography at the University of York, said: “It was with great sadness that we heard the news of Beth’s untimely death.

“Beth had just completed her second year in environmental geography.

“She was an enthusiastic and committed student and popular with her classmates.

“She was a warm-hearted, kind student with a gift for communication.

“Beth particularly enjoyed the field work involved in her degree programme and following on from field courses in the Lake District and Iceland was all set to carry out her final year dissertation project on glaciers.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Paul Crowther, 35, is charged with murdering Ms Fields.

Crowther was due to appear at Leeds Crown Court this morning, but did not attend.

Mark McKone, prosecuting, told Judge Rodney Jameson QC: “Mr Crowther is obviously remanded in custody.

“I understand he has elected not to attend court today.”

Crowther, of Elm Way, Birstall, was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article after Ms Fields was found in Fitzwilliam Street at 6.12pm on September 12 and pronounced dead at the scene.

No application for bail was made during the brief hearing and a provisional trial date was set for March 2 next year.

Judge Jameson said: “In the case of Paul Crowther, I will fix a date for a plea and trial preparation hearing on October 31.

“I will fix a provisional trial date for March 2, 2020, with a time estimate of five days plus, and Mr Crowther will remain remanded in custody.”