A pensioner accused of murdering his wife has appeared before Bradford Crown Court to hear the trial date confirmed as May 20.

Edward Small, 75, was not asked to plead guilty or not guilty to the allegation, said to have taken place on December 18 at an address in Raymond Drive, West Bowling, Bradford.

TOP STORIES:

He did not appear in the dock during the first hearing of the case at Bradford Crown Court on December 21 because he was not brought from prison in time.

Today, Small, of Raymond Drive, was present in court to hear his barrister, Tahir Khan QC, say the defence team was commissioning a neuropathology report to examine the cause of death of Sheila Small.

Mr Khan said there might be “psychiatric issues” surrounding Small and he asked that he not be arraigned.

The trial is expected to last five days.

Small, who wore a light grey tracksuit for the short hearing, was remanded back into custody by Judge David Hatton QC.