A 43-year-old man accused of murdering a woman in Bradford has been remanded in custody by magistrates.

Santosh Kumar made his first appearance at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He has been charged with the murder of Samantha Warren, 33, who died on Sunday in hospital after she was found with head injuries at a house in Libby Street, Manningham, last Thursday night.

Kumar, of Crosley Wood Road, Bingley, is also charged with wounding Miss Warren on Thursday, April 26.

The defendant, who is of stocky build with short black hair, a heavy fringe and trimmed sideburns, was accompanied in the secure dock by two security guards.

Wearing a crumpled baggy white T-shirt and blue trousers, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address at the short hearing.

No application for bail was made on his behalf.

District Judge Susan Bouch told him the offences would have to be heard at a higher court and remanded him in custody to next appear at Bradford Crown Court tomorrow. As the security guards handcuffed him and led him away, he nodded to his solicitor.

There were no family or friends either of Miss Warren or the defendant in court.

Two officers in the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team of West Yorkshire Police attended the hearing, which lasted about four minutes.

The modern brick mews townhouse in Libby Street has been under police guard since officers were called to the scene at about 11.40pm last Thursday.

According to neighbours, the woman and man were girlfriend and boyfriend and were relatively new to the area, only moving into the house, opposite a children’s play area, about six months ago.

The woman is also believed to have had three children living in the house. One neighbour said he thought their ages were 12, seven and a bit younger, describing them as “happy little things” often in the play area.