A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering a woman who was allegedly set on fire 23 years ago.

Steven Paul Craig, 57, allegedly attacked Jacqueline Kirk at Dolphin Square in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, on April 18 1998.

Ms Kirk died aged 62 in August 2019 having suffered serious burns in the incident.

Mr Craig, of Brailsford Road, York, appeared before Judge Peter Blair QC at Bristol Crown Court where a provisional trial date was set for January 24, 2022.

Mr Craig spoke only to confirm his name and address. during the court hearing He was remanded in custody after no application for bail was made.

Prosecutor Ramin Pakrooh told the court that Mr Craig was arrested on 3 June on the charge of murdering Ms Kirk between April 18, 1998 and August , 23 2019. He will next appear at a pre-trial hearing on August 16. The charge was authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service Complex Casework Unit.