A 70-year-old woman has appeared in court accused of murdering her husband.
Joanna Rowland-Stuart, a retired LGBTQ+ rights worker, appeared at Lewes Crown Court this morning via video link from HMP Lewes, wearing a grey sweatshirt and trousers.
She has been accused of murdering her husband, Andrew Rowland-Stuart, in their flat in Lavender Street, Brighton.
Emergency services were called to the 15th-floor flat last Monday evening shortly after 7.30pm.
Mr Rowland-Stuart was pronounced dead at the scene.
A large number of police cars and vans could be seen surrounding the block of flats and police officers were stationed outside the building.
Forensics team were also seen working in the area and carrying evidence bags.
Officers remained in the area until the next morning and assured residents the incident was an “isolated incident”.
READ MORE: Woman appears in court accused of murdering husband in Brighton
Rowland-Stuart was asked to confirm her name via a British Sign Language interpreter, as she is deaf.
However, she experienced difficulties doing so as her cochlear implant battery was dead and her sign language ability is limited.
Judge Christine Laing KC confirmed her plea and trial preparation hearing for July 19.
The court heard that a psychiatrist will be instructed.
The judge also voiced concerns over Rowland-Stuart’s mobility issues.
A trial date was provisionally arranged for November 25. The location has not been confirmed.
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