A 40-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering a healthcare worker who was stabbed to death.

Mother-of-three Victoria Woodhall, who worked at Rotherham General Hospital, was attacked in Windsor Crescent in the Middlecliffe area of Barnsley just before 5pm on Sunday.

Craig Woodhall, formerly of Windsor Crescent, Barnsley, appeared at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, court officials confirmed.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, they said.

Barnsley stabbing
Police forensics officers at the scene in Windsor Crescent, Middlecliffe, Barnsley (Danny Lawson/PA)

South Yorkshire Police formally identified Mrs Woodhall following the court appearance.

A force spokesman said: “Victoria was found with stab wounds on Windsor Crescent at around 5pm on Sunday 29 March.

“She was sadly pronounced dead upon police officer arrival.

“A post mortem concluded she died from multiple stab wounds.”

He added: “Victoria’s family has asked that their privacy continue to be respected at this difficult time.”

Tributes were paid to the operating department practitioner by Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

Angela Wood, chief nurse at the Trust, said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Victoria and she will be greatly missed.

“She was a cherished and much-loved colleague working in our operating theatres.

“Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with her family, friends and theatre colleagues at this time.”

Barnsley stabbing
A message on a floral tribute to Victoria Woodhall (Danny Lawson/PA)

A GoFundMe page set up by Mrs Woodhall’s friends, Donna Wetherall and Kelly Sims, raised more than £5,000 in 24 hours towards funeral costs and to help her children

Ms Wetherall and Ms Sims said: “Victoria worked really hard at university, qualifying to become an ODP at the Rotherham General Hospital.

“She will be deeply missed by friends, family and her children.

“She was lovely and caring, always helping others, lived for her children, and sadly she was taken away at a young age of 31.”

At the scene of Mrs Woodhall’s death, white-suited forensic officers wearing face masks could be seen at a property in the street on Monday.

A card on a floral tribute attached to the fence outside read: “Taken from us. Always in our hearts and thoughts. A loving mummy, daughter and sister. xxxxx.”