Man denies parlour murders
A 22-year-old man accused of murdering two women at a Shrewsbury massage parlour today denied the killings when he appeared at crown court. Garry Allan Harding appeared at Stafford Crown Court today charged with murdering Annie Eels and Samantha Tapper. A 22-year-old man accused of murdering two women at a Shrewsbury massage parlour today denied the killings when he appeared at crown court. Garry Allan Harding appeared at Stafford Crown Court today charged with murdering Annie Eels and Samantha Tapper. Harding, of Gilmour Court, Severn Street, Welshpool, denied the killings at a 15-minute hearing. He will stand trial at Birmingham Crown Court on April 18. Mr Justice Fulford remanded Harding in custody until the trial date. Miss Tapper, 24, above, from Wolverhampton, and Mrs Eels, 55, right, of Llansantffraid, Powys, were found dead early on July 2 at Rachael's Health Studio at 13 Frankwell. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
A 22-year-old man accused of murdering two women at a Shrewsbury massage parlour today denied the killings when he appeared at crown court. Garry Allan Harding appeared at Stafford Crown Court today charged with murdering Annie Eels and Samantha Tapper between June 30 and July 3 this year.
A 22-year-old man accused of murdering two women at a Shrewsbury massage parlour today denied the killings when he appeared at crown court. Garry Allan Harding appeared at Stafford Crown Court today charged with murdering Annie Eels and Samantha Tapper between June 30 and July 3 this year.Harding, of Gilmour Court, Severn Street, Welshpool, denied the killings at a 15-minute hearing. The packed public gallery included members of the women's families.
Wearing a white T-shirt and beige cargo pants, Harding spoke only to confirm his name and to deny the two murder charges.
He will stand trial at Birmingham Crown Court on April 18. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks. Mr Justice Fulford remanded Harding in custody until the trial date.
They had both suffered severe head injuries thought to have been inflicted with a blunt instrument.
An inquest this month heard the women had both been hit in the face and head at least 14 times with an object like a hammer.
Coroner John Ellery read out evidence from pathologist Dr Edmund Tapp, who gave the cause of death for both women as blunt force head injuries.
The inquest was then adjourned pending the outcome of the criminal case against Harding.
Grandmother Mrs Eels, the receptionist at the parlour, has been described by her husband Chris as a "bubbly and lively" woman who was "loved by everybody".
Miss Tapper was a mother-of-one and the eldest of four children.
Her mother Jackie Jones has described her as a beautiful, kind and caring person.
The massage parlour remains boarded up with metal sheeting, prompting calls from the community for the property to be renovated to give a "new life" to the building.
Landlord Reg Chambers, secretary of Frankwell Properties, which owns 13 Frankwell, said last month he still did not know what the future holds for the building.
By Steve Todd
