A WOMAN appeared in court today charged with the murder of 27-Matthew Thatcher who died following a house fire in Victoria Street, Eccles, near Maidstone, last Saturday.

Kerrie Samantha Hogben, 30, of no fixed address, spoke only to confirm her name at Mid Kent Magistrates Court in Maidstone.

She appeared in court shortly after being charged by officers from Maidstone and Malling police.

The magistrates committed her case to Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, December 6. She was remanded in custody until her trial.

Mr Thatcher was employed as an engineer by the Mid Kent Water Company.