A second man has been charged in connection with the death of Breightmet mum Maggie Smythe.

Brian Ottley, age 29, of no fixed address, has been charged with assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.

Ottley is in custody and will appear at Manchester & Salford Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

The man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday, February 1, was released under investigation. He was then rearrested yesterday on suspicion of murder and was in custody for questioning.

Christopher Taylor, aged 39 of Greenroyd Avenue, Bolton, has already been charged with the murder of Margaret Jean Smythe, known as Maggie.

An investigation was launched when Maggie, aged 29, was reported missing from her home in Swinside Road, Breightmet, on Saturday, January 26.

On Friday, February 1, officers investigating her disappearance found her body at the rear of the derelict Red Bridge Inn, Red Lane, Breightmet after a major search operation. Police have been carrying out further investigations this week around Breightmet.

Maggie was a cleaner at Bolton Interchange and a mum to one daughter, age 3.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Wilkinson, of Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said: “This is very much an ongoing investigation and we have a dedicated team of detectives working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances of Maggie’s death.

“We continue our appeal for the public’s help, and I would encourage anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police to please get in touch with us as soon as you can.

“We need answers for Maggie’s family who are completely distraught, and your information could help us provide them.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9908, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.