North Yorkshire Police refers itself to watchdog over Malton death

Lisa Welford, 49, was pulled from the River Derwent on 24 April

North Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the death of a woman in Malton.

The force made the mandatory referral as part of standard procedure on 25 April, the day after Lisa Welford, 49, was pulled from the River Derwent.

Ms Welford was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead on 24 April.

Vincent Morgan, 47, from Malton, was arrested the same evening, and later charged with murder.

He appeared at Leeds Crown Court on 30 April, where he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance, which will take place on 21 May.

A preliminary trial date has been set for 21 October.

An IOPC spokesperson said its investigation was in the "very early stages".

A spokesperson added: "Following a referral from North Yorkshire Police we have begun an investigation into the prior contact the force had with a woman who was found in the River Derwent on 24 April and sadly pronounced dead in the early hours of the next day.|"