![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_Claire.jpg\")
Clare Burns<\/p>\nLee Stewart, 55, denies the murder of Clare BurnsClare Burns<\/p>\n
A man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a \u2018loving\u2019 mum in north Manchester.<\/p>\n
Clare Burns, 51, was found dead at a flat on Queens Road, in Collyhurst<\/a>, in the early hours of Monday April 7.<\/p>\n Lee Stewart, 55, has since been charged with her murder.<\/p>\n Today, June 20, at a pre-trial preparation hearing at Manchester Crown Court, Mr Stewart pleaded not guilty to the offence.<\/p>\n During the hearing, administration and legal matters were discussed that cannot be reported at this stage.<\/p>\n A trial date has been set for October 6 this year, with an estimated duration of six days.<\/p>\n Mr Stewart, of Queens Road, Manchester, will next appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 5 for a further case management hearing. He was remanded into custody.<\/p>\n Paying tribute, Ms Burns’ family said: \u201cClare was a loving mother, auntie, sister and daughter. She was funny, outgoing and a very independent person. She was also kind, generous and friendly to anyone she met.<\/p>\n \u201cClare would always light up the room she entered, and she was a brilliant friend to many.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will miss her dearly.\u201d<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.<\/p>\n That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable<\/strong>, highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North.<\/strong> You can also <\/strong>sign up for that here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here<\/strong><\/a> to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street.<\/p>\n If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here,<\/strong><\/a> and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it.<\/p>\n