A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of his wife who was stabbed to death at their home.

Primary school teacher Julie Parkin, 39, died from fatal knife wounds following the attack last Tuesday.

Police were called to the house the mother-of-two shared with Adam Parkin in Kirkwall Close in Castletown, Sunderland, at 12.10am.

He was arrested shortly afterwards and was charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder.

The 35-year-old who wore glasses and a grey t-shirt, had bandages around both forearms when he appeared before Newcastle Crown Court this morning.

No application for bail was made and he was been remanded into custody until a plea and case management hearing on July 28.

A provisional trial date has been scheduled for the week commencing December 4.

Mrs Parkin, who had a teenage son and daughter, was a popular year three and four teacher at West Boldon Primary School.

As part of the investigation into her death police are keen to learn the whereabouts of a Black Mazda 6 NL59 MWJ between 10.30pm and midnight on Monday, June 26.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 13-270-617.