Trial set to start 12 years after woman found dead

Una Crown died in an attack at her bungalow in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in 2013

A man accused of murdering an 86-year-old woman is due to go on trial exactly 12 years after her body was found.

David Newton, 70, has denied murdering retired postmistress Una Crown, found dead at her home in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on 13 January 2013.

Mrs Crown, a widow, was found lying in a pool of blood at her bungalow in Magazine Lane.

A judge is due to begin overseeing a trial at Cambridge Crown Court on 13 January.

A judge oversaw a pre-trial hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday

Detail of the trial timetable emerged at a pre-trial hearing at the court on Wednesday.

Mr Newton, of Magazine Close, Wisbech, who has been remanded in custody pending trial, was not at the hearing and did not attend via a remote link.

Judge Mark Bishop considered a number of legal issues and heard submissions from barristers representing the prosecution and Mr Newton.

He was told that jurors were not expected to begin hearing arguments until 14 January.

Judge Bishop said a more senior High Court judge would oversee Mr Newton's trial.

Mrs Crown was found dead at her home in Magazine Lane

Mrs Crown's death was initially treated as an accident but a murder investigation was launched days later.

Post-mortem examination showed she had died after suffering stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Mr Newton was arrested in April 2024.

He entered a not guilty plea at an early stage of proceedings.

Mrs Crown, pictured with her late husband Jack, lived alone in her bungalow