A man charged with murdering a travel agent at her workplace admits he killed her unlawfully, a court has heard today.
Andrew Burke, 30, from St Helens, did not enter pleas to the charges of murder and possessing an unlawful weapon in a public place when he appeared via videolink from prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.
Burke, who was holding a rosary throughout the hearing, is accused of the murder of Cassie Hayes, 28, who died in hospital after her throat was cut at the Tui branch in Southport town centre on January 13.
A Home Office post-mortem examination revealed the mother-of-one died from shock and haemorrhaging from a wound to her throat.
Cassie Hayes, pictured with her sister Nadine Hayes, right, was killed in Southport, Merseyside, at the branch of Tui where she was assistant manager
David McLachlan QC, defending, said there would be no issue that Ms Hayes was unlawfully killed by Burke but psychiatric reports on the defendant were still being prepared.
Judge David Aubrey QC adjourned the hearing until April 9, when Burke is expected to enter pleas.
In a tribute issued via Merseyside Police after her death, Ms Hayes’s partner Laura Williams said: ‘Cassie is my partner and words will not explain my sorrow and loss.
![Cassie Hayes, pictured with her mother Tracy Hayes, right, died after her throat was cut at the Tui travel agency](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1/2018/02/19/11/2331646-5408545-Cassie_Hayes_with_her_mother_Tracy_Hayes_right_Merseyside_Police-m-29_1519041477240.jpg)
Cassie Hayes, pictured with her mother Tracy Hayes, right, died after her throat was cut at the Tui travel agency
![Burke, from St Helens, is charged with murdering Ms Hayes at TUI travel agent in Southport](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/02/19/12/496056B800000578-5408545-image-m-45_1519043206010.jpg)
Burke, from St Helens, is charged with murdering Ms Hayes at TUI travel agent in Southport
‘She is the most amazing, gorgeous, selfless and strong person I know. She is my future wife and my forever.’
The family of Ms Hayes, who was originally from Alnwick, Northumberland, added: ‘Cassie was an amazing, kind human being who would do anything for anyone.
‘She doted on all her family and our loss is beyond calculation.’
![Andrew Burke, 30, is accused of murdering Cassie, 28, at a Tui store in Southport town centre on January 13](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/15/00/4822DD2300000578-5268687-image-a-15_1515976933475.jpg)
![Andrew Burke, 30, is accused of murdering Cassie, 28, at a Tui store in Southport town centre on January 13](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2018/01/15/00/4823B7E100000578-5268687-Andrew_Burke_pictured_has_been_charged_with_the_murder_of_Southp-m-14_1515976927380.jpg)
Andrew Burke, 30, (right) is accused of murdering Cassie, 28, at a Tui store in Southport town centre on January 13
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