THE former lover of Rossendale axe victim Daniel O'Brien has been charged with his murder.

Janet Charlton, 35, appeared at Wakefield Magistrates' Court charged with murdering Mr O'Brien, 41, on May 23.

The woman, who is divorced with a four-year-old daughter, was remanded in custody .

The naked body of Mr O'Brien, a wealthy businessman, was discovered in the bedroom of his luxury £300,000 home in Midgley, Wakefield.

An axe was found embedded in his head and a nationwide murder hunt was launched.

Police said he had been struck on the head several times with the weapon. Detectives also revealed they were looking at a possible sexual motive for the killing.

Until three years' ago Mr O'Brien had a house in Holme Terrace, Townsendfold, Rawtenstall, and used to be a regular at the Whitchaff Inn, in Bury Road, Rawtenstall.

Mr O'Brien made his money by selling his gas repair and fixture company to British Gas before moving to Wakefield.

He drove a black Jeep with the personalised registration M6 DAN and originally came from Manchester.

Charlton, of Jubilee Road, Middleton, will appear at Leeds Crown Court on July 13.