Man charged over pub murder

A 27-year-old man was yesterday charged with murdering judge's daughter Rachel McGrath, who was stabbed to death as she called to collect her boyfriend from a public house last Friday. Jobless Nicholas Burton, 27, will appear before magistrates in Stockport, Greater Manchester, today.

Burton, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody yesterday charged with kidnapping 17-year-old college student Debbie van Gerko near her home in Gatley, Stockport, the day after 27-year-old Miss McGrath died.

Burton, who was arrested in North Wales on Sunday, is also accused of making death threats and false imprisonment in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Miss van Gerko.

Miss McGrath, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, whose father, Brian, 55, is a district judge, was found dead outside the Victoria Tavern in Bramhall, Stockport, after driving there to collect her live-in boyfriend, Kevin Forster, 25, after a night out.