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A trial date has been set for an 87-year-old man accused of murdering his wife, aged 85.

William Arthur Haxworth, of Upper Lansdown Mews, Bath, has been charged with killing Delia Haxworth on 18 June.

His case was heard before Judge Martin Picton at Bristol Crown Court on Friday. Mr Haxworth was not required to attend.

Prosecuting, Anjali Gohil said it was a "sad" case and told the court that a trial could be heard on 16 December.

The judge confirmed that trial date and said a plea and trial preparation hearing would take place on 26 July.

Alistair Haggity, representing Haxworth, did not make an application for bail.

Mrs Haxworth was found "in need of urgent medical treatment" at a property in Upper Lansdown Mews on Tuesday morning, police previously said.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her body has been formally identified and her next of kin are being supported by liaison officers.

Detective Inspector Mark Newbury, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Our thoughts are very much with Delia’s family as they begin to come to terms with this tragedy.

"Although a man has been charged we are still in the early stages of our investigation."

Detectives are appealing for anyone who saw or has footage of an older man with a rucksack walking from Upper Lansdown Mews to Bennett Street, or of a man climbing scaffolding in Bennett Street.

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