Teacher 'Dumped Partner's Body In Suitcase'

A teacher killed his partner, dumped her body in a suitcase and then picked up his lover, a court has heard.

Andrew Lindo was leading a double life when he murdered Marie Stewart in a "brutal attack" at the home they shared with their two children, prosecutors said.

Lindo, 28, described in court as an "accomplished liar", has admitted manslaughter but denies murdering her last December.

The body of his partner was not found until two months later.

Prosecutor Michelle Colborne QC said Lindo told police he strangled Miss Stewart in their bedroom at the property in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.

He then cut her throat, the jury at Bradford Crown Court heard.

Ms Colborne said: "The defendant said he put her body in a Virgin Atlantic flight bag, put it to the back of the garage and covered it with some carpet."

She added: "He said he used Vanish to clean the house."

The trial heard how Lindo will claim he was forced to kill Miss Stewart, 30, to protect their young daughter because she was mistreating her.

But Ms Colborne said there was no mistreatment.

She said: "He alleges that he was forced to kill her to protect their child, so overcome was he by that need and his pent up emotion that he lost his self control.

"The evidence will show that the defendant was, and is, an inveterate and accomplished liar, living a double life at the time and, moreover, setting out a defence which is untruthful and creates a wholly misleading impression of his own character and that of the deceased."

She also said: "Marie Stewart was murdered by her partner, Andrew Lindo, on December 18 last year.

"It was the culmination of a protracted and brutal attack at the home they shared with their two children. He killed her, dumped her in a suitcase and travelled to Barnsley to collect his lover.

"His lover, a lady called Angela Rylance, had been invited to stay at the house. Miss Stewart's body was not discovered until February 13."

The trial continues.