Andrew Burke, 30, of Vincent Street, St Helens, did not enter pleas to the charges of murder and possessing an unlawful weapon in a public place when he appeared via videolink from prison at Liverpool Crown Court.

There will be no issue that she was unlawfully killed.

Psychiatric report be served by March 30, ahead of a further hearing on April 9.

Burke, who was holding a rosary throughout the hearing, is accused of the murder of Cassie Hayes, 28, who died in hospital from a wound to her throat inflicted at the Tui branch in Southport town centre on January 13.

Wasn't he in the nick beforehand???