Man, 61, appears in court over murder of housing association worker who died after crash

A man is set to stand trial accused of killing a housing association worker.

Clifford Foster, 61, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday charged with murdering Eleanor Barnfield, 47.

Ms Barnfield died in hospital last week after her car crashed into a wall on Coity Road in Bridgend, after sustaining what are believed to have been stab wounds.

The decision to charge Foster followed a “significant policing operation” around Ger-y-Nant, which is managed by the Valleys to Coast housing association, where Ms Barnfield worked.

Foster spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address – at Ger-y-Nant – during the brief hearing on Monday.

He was not asked to enter a plea.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, set a plea and trial preparation date of 23 November and a provisional trial date of 12 April next year.

Foster was remanded into custody.

Ms Barnfield has been described by her family as the “most loving” mother and “bravest person in the world”.

In a tribute issued through police last week, they said: “She meant everything to us and will be forever loved and missed deeply by her devoted family and friends. She was our rock.”

Jo Oak, chief executive at Valleys to Coast, said: “Eleanor was a much-valued member of the Valleys to Coast team, and her loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and worked alongside her.

“She made an important contribution to our organisation and to the communities we serve, and she will be remembered with great warmth and affection by her colleagues.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Eleanor’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. We are doing everything we can to support those affected by her loss.”