A frail pensioner has been charged with murdering his bedridden wife.

Wearing a grey suit, white shirt and tie, Dennis Halford stooped and shuffled as he walked into Worthing Magistrates Court at midday on Tuesday. The 78-year-old, of Ham Road, Worthing, is accused of injecting his 76-year-old wife Natalie with insulin and smothering her with a plastic bag.

Police went to the couple's home last Wednesday at 1pm and Mrs Halford was pronounced dead minutes later.

Halford, appearing confused, called out for his family as he was escorted into the dock by two guards. One side of the court room was packed with relatives and a woman's voice could be heard reassuring him with the words: "Dad, we are all here for you".

Halford spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and that he understood the charge against him.

The hard-of-hearing pensioner was asked whether he could hear Lorna Lee, prosecuting, as she began outlining the background to the case.

Father of three Halford replied: "If you speak up. I know it's hard. Sorry about it."

Jane MacDougall, defending, applied for bail for her client but it was refused.

Deputy district judge Roger Ede remanded Halford in custody ahead of a further hearing at Lewes Crown Court on Friday next week.

His family stood by the glass-fronted dock and reassured Halford as he was led back down to the cells.

One woman was led away crying from the court room.