A 59-YEAR-OLD unemployed man has appeared before a court accused of murdering his former partner.

School teacher Sally Jessop, 48, was found dead on New Year’s Eve at the home the couple used to share in Harcourt Drive at Canterbury.

Peter Hutchings spoke only to confirm his name during the five-minute hearing at Canterbury Magistrates' Court on Wednesday afternoon.

His solicitor, Nicholas Jones, made no application for bail and Hutchings was remanded in custody. He is next due to appear before a judge at Maidstone Crown Court on January 16.

Ms Jessop was a year three teacher at Joy Lane Junior School at Whitstable where she had been for 14 years.