Murderer who hid woman's naked body in shed jailed

Mariann Borocz had been reported missing by her family

A man who befriended a "vulnerable" woman before murdering her and hiding her naked body in his garden shed has been sentenced to life in prison.

Christopher Barlow, 62, of Pedder Street, Bolton, was arrested after the body of Mariann Borocz, 55, was found on his property on 23 December last year.

Barlow initially claimed he had no idea how Ms Borocz ended up in his shed before changing his story and claiming he had panicked when he found her dead in his kitchen, Manchester Crown Court heard.

He was convicted of murder following a three-week trial and sentenced on Friday to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years.

Greater Manchester Police said Barlow met Ms Borocz, who was originally from Hungary, at a shop where she went to buy cider.

He invited her back to his home, and she was last being seen turning onto Pedder Street with Barlow on the morning of 14 December 2024.

It is unknown exactly what happened when the they reached Barlow's address but the prosecution told the trial he killed Ms Borocz shortly afterwards.

Christopher Barlow initally denied having met Ms Borocz

Ms Borocz had been reported missing by her family on 15 December, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Police later identified Barlow from CCTV footage and spoke to him at his home a week later, where he denied ever having met Ms Borocz.

He was later arrested when a neighbour reported heading a scream from his house, which was when police found Ms Borocz's body in his shed.

They also found her clothes and other personal items in a bin in his yard, the court heard.

Officer in charge of the case Det Sgt Fiona Manning said Ms Borocz was "vulnerable".

She said: "Barlow befriended Mariann and she believed she could trust him – that could not have been further from reality.

"Women should be able to go out freely and without fear that something may happen to them."

'Harrowing'

A post-mortem examination did not provide a conclusive cause of death but ruled out natural causes.

The pathologist said potential causes could include asphyxiation due to unexplained marks on Ms Borocz's neck, or hypothermia, given she was found naked in an outside shed.

There was also evidence of previous assaults but these were not believed to have contributed to her death.

Ch Supt Helen Critchley said the investigation and subsequent trial was "harrowing".

She said: "Our thoughts today are with Mariann and her family and friends, who finally have justice."