Wirral mum Cherie Anne Cooper charged with partner’s murder

Aug 22 2012 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

A 25-YEAR-old Wirral mum has appeared in court charged with murdering her partner.

Cherie Anne Cooper faced magistrates on Monday following the death of 37-year-old Darren Dempsey.

Cooper, represented by Laura Flynn, spoke only to confirm her name, age and address.

Police and paramedics were called to the couple’s mid terrace home in Briardale Road, Birkenhead at around 9.30pm on Friday night following reports that a man had been stabbed.

Mr Dempsey was taken to hospital with an injury to his chest but later died.

During the brief court hearing at Wirral magistrates court chair of the magistrates’ bench Judith Parry remanded Cooper in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court.

On Sunday night friends of Mr Dempsey gathered at a Birkenhead park to release Chinese lanterns in his memory.

Tributes to Mr Dempsey, who once attended Woodchurch high school, have also appeared on Facebook.

They read: “Sorry To Everyone Who Knew Darren He Was Lovely And Didnt Deserve What Has Happened ? Rest In Peace Darren ?

“I have 2 precious gifts in life and u gave me my first 1 I will never forgot u XXXXXXX

R.i.p Darren”

Cooper, who is originally from New Brighton, has a young daughter from a previous relationship. On her Bebo site she says she supports Everton FC.

Three ambulances arrived at the couple’s house on Friday night along with a number of police cars.

Officers knocked on neighbours‘ doors to ask if they had heard anything.

The house remained cordoned off on Saturday morning as crime scene investigators got to work.

Bouquets of flowers were laid at the doorstep of the couple’s home along with several cards of condolence.

Neighbours spoke of their shock. One said they thought they had been together for two years and had at least one child.

Copper was due to make an application for bail today. (wednesday)

A preliminary hearing at crown court will be heard on September 7.