Man admits hiding woman's body in freezer

A man has admitted hiding the body of a woman whose remains were found in a freezer, but denies her murder.

The body of Delia McInerney, who would have been 64 this year, was discovered in a flat in Gerards Court on Hawes Avenue, St Helens, on 8 January, around three years after she is believed to have died.

It can now be reported that George Gordon, 65, has pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to six offences including obstructing a coroner, preventing a decent and lawful burial, three counts of fraud by false representation and one of theft - all relating to McInerney.

But he has denied murder, and also one count of animal cruelty over five guinea pigs also found in the freezer.

Gordon, with thinning white hair and wearing a grey jumper and jogging bottoms, appeared via video link from prison at the court earlier.

He had previously entered pleas to seven of the charges and today denied causing unnecessary suffering to the guinea pigs by pulling or crushing their necks at some point between 10 April 2023 and 8 January 2026.

Gordon, of Gerards Court, is due to stand trial on 12 October with the case estimated to last six weeks.

McInerney lived in a house on Douglas Road in Anfield, Liverpool, which Merseyside Police has also searched as part of its investigation.

In a statement issued via the police her sister, Rita McInerney, described her as: "A rebel - intelligent with a dynamic personality, kind, caring and helpful.

"She was well-loved as a sister and friend. I will miss her always."

Judge Andrew Menary, KC, remanded Gordon in custody ahead of his trial.

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