A man has today (Wednesday April 5) denied the murder of another resident at a sheltered accommodation complex and will stand trial later this year.

Appearing via video link from Durham Prison to a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Stephen Patrick Ansbro pleaded “not guilty” when the count of murder of Jane Collinson was put to him.

The 60-year-old defendant is alleged to have murdered Ms Collinson at Bowes-Lyon House, supported housing for people aged 55 and above, where both were living, in Barnard Castle.

Emergency services were summoned to the complex, in Dunelm Court, late on the afternoon of Saturday March 4 this year.

Read more: Man charged with murder following death of woman in Barnard Castle

Ms Collinson, 59, was pronounced dead at the scene, at about 6pm.

The defendant was arrested and subsequently charged with the murder of his neighbour.

He appeared, using a wheelchair, at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court for a short hearing, on March 8, and then at the city's crown court two days later.

Although the charge was not put to the defendant at that hearing, counsel for both prosecution and defence agreed with the judge, The Recorder of Newcastle, Judge Paul Sloan, on a date for the trial, starting on Monday July 31.

It was, originally, given a seven-day time estimate, but the parties have now reduced that to five days.

At the previous hearing the defence team informed the court it had instructed a psychiatrist over the preparation of a psychiatric report.

It was agreed the prosecution must submit its evidence in the case by Thursday April 27, with a full defence statement to follow, by Thursday May 25.

Judge Sloan remanded the defendant to remain in custody until a further case management hearing, at the court on Friday May 11.

Read next: 

* Inquest opened into death of Jane Collinson in Barnard Castle

* Stephen Ansbro accused of Jane Collinson murder in Barnard Castle

* Barnard Castle man faces trial over alleged murder of Jane Collinson

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An inquest, which opened into Ms Collinson’s death at Crook Coroners’ Court, last Friday (March 31), heard she was found with, “multiple injuries”.

A subsequent post-mortem examination was inconclusive, pending histology and toxicology results.

The inquest opening hearing was also told that Ms Collinson, who was born in Grimesthorpe, Barnsley, was formally identified by her son accompanied by a police officer.