The boss of a furniture company which featured in a national television programme has made his first appearance at Leeds Crown Court accused of murdering his estranged wife.

John David Butler, 62, of Larkfield Road, Rawdon, Leeds, who heads the family-run Kettley’s Furniture Centre in Yeadon, was remanded in custody until Monday, April 28, after the court was told he was making no bail application at his Crown Court apprearance on Thursday, April 17.

Pauline Butler, 61, was found dead from stab wounds on Monday, April 14, at a modern terraced home on Cherry Lea Court, Rawdon.

Kettley’s became the subject of national attention in 2012 when it appeared in the BBC’s The Fixer series in which celebrity consultant Alex Polizzi helped to modernise the business.

Butler appeared on Wednesday, April 16, before Leeds Magistrates’ Court when his case was sent to the crown court because a judge must decide any bail application.

He spoke only to confirm his name during the six minute hearing. Abdul Iftikhar representing him told the court while he was not applying for bail on Thursday, April 17, a bail application would be made to a judge in chambers during the next fortnight.

Remanding Butler in custody, the Recorder of Leeds Judge Peter Collier QC told him at that next preliminary hearing a timetable for the case will be set and efforts made to progress the case.

Asked to consider the possible length of a trial, the prosecution and defence agreed a provisional estimate of five days.

Police found the body of Mrs Butler after an ambulance was called to Cherry Lea Court.

Detectives then said that investigations suggested she had died in a suspected “domestic-related incident.”