Man accused of murder deemed unfit to stand trial

Kristine Sparane, 37, was found at her home in Winsover Road, Spalding, on 26 November

A man accused of murdering a woman whose body was found in her Lincolnshire home has been deemed unfit to stand trial.

Brian Simpson, 64, was charged with the murder of Kristine Sparane, 37, following an incident in Winsover Road, Spalding, on 26 November last year.

Mr Simpson, of Nene Court, Spalding, had been due to stand trial at Lincoln Crown Court on 19 May, but at a hearing on Monday it was accepted by the prosecution that he was not fit to enter a plea.

A trial of the facts will now take place in May without Mr Simpson's attendance.

The hearing is expected to last up to four days.

A trial of facts – also known as a finding of fact – takes the place of a criminal trial.

It will be a public hearing to determine whether Mr Simpson committed the murder.

It cannot result in a conviction, but if the court is not satisfied that he is guilty then he will be acquitted.

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