Woman, 70, in court accused of husband's murder

Andrew Rowland-Stuart was pronounced dead at an address in Brighton

A 70-year-old woman has appeared in court accused of murdering her husband in their flat in East Sussex.

Joanna Rowland-Stuart, who appeared at Lewes Crown Court via video link from HMP Lewes, did not enter a plea over the death of Andrew Rowland-Stuart.

She was aided by a British Sign Language interpreter during the brief appearance on Monday but was unable to follow the hearing after the battery failed in her cochlear implant.

A pre-trial preparation hearing was set for 19 July ahead of a trial provisionally set for 25 November.

Joanna Rowland-Stuart (pictured at an earlier hearing in Crawley) was arrested on 27 May

Emergency services were called to the couple’s home in Lavender Street, Brighton, at about 19:30 BST on 27 May.

Mr Rowland-Stuart, 70, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard how the defendant has mobility issues.

Judge Christine Laing KC requested medical evidence of these issues to be presented at the pre-trial preparation hearing.