THE boyfriend charged with the murder of Wirral solicitor Cheryl Lewis was taken ill minutes after being remanded in custody for a week by Wirral Magistrates. John Frederick Allan made a five-minute appearance before Wirral magistrates charged with the murder of Wirral solicitor Cheryl Lewis at Luxor, Egypt, last October.

Allan was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital, where he had been a patient previously, but this time was only detained overnight, before being taken to Walton Prison.

John Frederick Allan, 47, of Woodbank Park, Oxton, also faced allegations of theft of a five-stone diamond ring, a solitaire diamond ring, a diamond-set brooch, a topaz and diamond ring and a gold bracelet total value £6,000 belonging to the estate of Ms Lewis at Chester in October, and at Birkenhead in December stealing a Mercedes car value £15,799 belonging to Cheryl Lewis and Company.

There was also a further charge that at Runcorn in January he stole a BMW car and contents total value £26,800 belonging to Gillian Cain-Jones.

Bearded and bespectacled Allan, who wore an open neck shirt and grey jumper, spoke only to confirm his identity and address.

His solicitor, John Weate, did not apply for bail and reporting restrictions were not lifted.

Allan was remanded in custody for seven days on the application of prosecutor Roger McDonough. Mr Weate said Allan would wholeheartedly plead not guilty to all charges.

No date was set for committal proceedings and he is due back in court on Friday March 5.

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