Wife Of Former Royal Marine Died Of "Compression To The Neck", A Court Hears

The wife of a former Royal Marine who is charged with her murder died of "sustained compression to the neck", a court has heard.

Stephen Searle, 64, is accused of killing 62-year-old Anne Searle, who was found unresponsive at an address in Stowmarket, Suffolk, at 10.30pm on Saturday.

Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, told a brief hearing at Ipswich Crown Court that Mrs Searle died of sustained compression of the neck.

Mr Searle, who is in custody, was not in court for the hearing due to "difficulties on the roads" caused by Storm Eleanor.

No plea was formally taken in today’s hearing, but judge Martyn Levett set a provisional date for a trial to start on June 25

It is estimated that the trial will last seven days.

Paramedics attended an address in The Brickfields but Mrs Searle was declared dead at the scene.

Ex-Royal Marine commando Stephen Searle is a former UKIP councillor for Suffolk County Council.