A 79-year-old has appeared in court charged with the murder of his wife.

Dudley Boakes spoke only to confirm his name when appearing in Lewes Crown Court today in connection with the murder of his 70-year-old wife Sandra Boakes in their home in Grasmere Avenue in Sompting.

Police were called to their home on Thursday April 3 and Mrs Boakes died from her injuries in hospital two days later.

Mr Boakes will appear in court again on June 27 for a plea and case management hearing with the trial beginning at Lewes Crown Court on September 22.