Man pleads not guilty to murdering woman

A man has denied murdering a 24-year-old woman in Stoke-on-Trent.

Kyle Pala, 30, is accused over the death of Sarah-Louise Pennington whose body was discovered by police in the early hours of 12 July at an address in Longton.

Pala, of Oakwell Grove, Longton, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday.

Wearing a grey polo shirt, a dark Nike jacket and blue jeans, he spoke only to confirm his name and to enter a plea of not guilty.

Judge Sally Hancox told Pala he faced a two-week trial set to begin at the same court on 4 January.

He remains in custody.

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