A man whose new bride’s body was recovered from a suitcase today pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing her.

Thomas Nutt, 45, of Shirley Grove, Lightcliffe, was brought to Bradford Crown Court from HMP Leeds where he is being held on remand for a further case management hearing at 9.45am.

He pleaded not guilty to murdering Dawn Walker, 52, between October 27 and 31 last year but guilty to the alternative offence of manslaughter.

Nutt, who was represented by Stephen Wood QC and Abigail Langford, admitted ‘unlawful act manslaughter,’ the court was told.

He will stand trial on the murder charge on July 25 when the issue will be the narrow one of intent, Mr Wood said.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The court heard that Miss Walker had ‘significant areas of bruising on her scalp.’ There were possible multiple blows and a likelihood of strangulation. The barristers were still awaiting the final pathology reports.

Mr Wood said no psychiatric defence would be raised but Nutt had some serious physi-cal health problems that would have to be accommodated when he was in court.

The trial at Bradford Crown Court is expected to last two weeks. Leading prosecuting counsel is Alistair MacDonald QC, with Eleanor Fry acting as junior counsel.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, said it was not yet known who the judge trying the case would be, but three circuit judges in Bradford were qualified to preside over murder cases.

He said that the July date was the earliest available for a ten-day trial and that cases were being listed more promptly in Bradford than at other courtrooms on the North Eastern Circuit.

Judge Mansell extended the custody time limits to the third day of the trial.

The court heard that the jury will watch CCTV and study photographs as part of the presentation of the evidence.

Judge Mansell told Nutt that he will be produced from prison for the trial He was remanded back into custody.