Sister tells of teacher’s ‘charade’ over death

Katie Stewart told Bradford Crown Court she could not understand her sister Marie’s disappearance shortly before Christmas last year because she had been excited and looking forward to celebrating the holiday.

She said her sister’s partner Andrew Lindo had told her he had seen her leaving in a car with another man and that she had taken all her clothes.

Miss Stewart said she left a message on her sister’s phone begging her to come back for Christmas and received texts purporting to come from her, but, she added: “I never heard her voice again”.

On Christmas Day she and her father spent time helping the couple’s two children open presents.

She said Lindo took her into the main bedroom of the property in Perseverance Place, Holmfirth, where, she said, “He opened all the drawers and wardrobes to show she had taken all her belongings, just the odd piece was still there”.

After the holidays she had offered several times to take down the Christmas decorations and put them away in the garage for Lindo.

“He was quite defensive and said, ‘No, I’ll do it’.” The garage was locked and she could not see the key usually left in the door.

On January 23 she reported her concerns to the police, but they closed it as a missing person case after some inquiries. The body of Miss Stewart, 30, was found in the garage on February 13.

Lindo, 29 has admitted manslaughter but denies her murder.

The prosecution claims he was leading a double life and planning a future with another woman.

Miss Stewart said she was told her sister had found out Lindo was having an affair and so she asked him about that, but “he swore he had never cheated on Marie”.

The trial continues.