August 31, 2020 10.15 am This story is over 43 months old

Trial date set over killing of Grantham mum

Accused remains in jail until next spring
Daniela Espirito Santo with her children. | Photo: GoFundMe page

A man accused of killing his 23-year old-partner is to face trial in front of a jury next year.

Julio Jesus, 31, of Beechcroft Road, Grantham, is charged with the manslaughter of mother of two Daniela Espirito Santo on April 8 this year.

He is also accused of assaulting Ms Santo causing her actual bodily harm earlier on the same day and on a previous occasion on March 28.

Judge John Pini QC, sitting at Lincoln Crown Court, directed that the trial of Jesus should begin on April 6, 2021. The hearing is expected to take between three and four weeks.

An application for bail made on August 28 by Jesus’ barrister Allison Summers QC was refused and he was remanded in custody.

The charges follow the discovery of the body of Ms Santo by police at her flat in Chestnut Grove, Grantham, late on the evening of April 8.

It was reported in May that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating Lincolnshire Police’s response to a number of domestic incidents reported by Ms Santo.

At the time an IOPC spokesperson said: “Following a referral from Lincolnshire Police, the IOPC is independently investigating the police response to a number of domestic incidents reported by Miss Daniela Espirito Santo, whose body was found at an address in Grantham late on the evening of Wednesday, April 8.

“We are investigating whether the actions and decision-making by Lincolnshire Police in response to the incidents were in accordance with policies and guidance.

“IOPC investigators have made contact with Ms Santo’s family to explain our role and how the investigation will progress.”

Since her death £1,955 was raised for the family of Daniela on a GoFundMe page created by Jodie Stafford on behalf of Isabel Espirito Santo.