An IT consultant has appeared at Maidstone Crown Court accused of murdering his school teacher wife.

Wearing a grey sweatshirt and bottoms, Stuart Andrews, 54, spoke only to be identified during the brief hearing.

He was arrested after the body of 52-year-old Caroline Andrews was found at their rented bungalow in The Street, Benenden, on February 4.

A post-mortem examination revealed she had been strangled the previous day.

Andrews, a former adviser to the Bank of England, will return to court on April 1 for a case management hearing. A psychiatric report will be prepared in the meantime.

Judge Jeremy Carey set a provisional trial date for July 25.

A bail application was not made and Andrews was remanded in custody.

Tributes have been paid to Mrs Andrews who worked part-time at Benenden CE Primary School.

Head teacher, Gill Knox, spoke of Mrs Andrews’ qualities as a teacher, saying: "Caroline knew the children really well and they all loved her".