A FORMER Stanhope woman charged with murdering her husband three years ago appeared in court on Friday.

Valerie Brown, 50, spoke only to confirm her name during the short hearing at Maidstone Crown Court.

It is alleged that she killed 48-year-old Michael Wood in July 2002. Mr Wood, who lived with Brown in Lynsted Close, Stanhope, was found with multiple stab wounds at Kenton’s Yard, Challock.

In November 2003 cleaner Simon Wight, then 29, of Wharton Gardens, Willesborough, was jailed for life for Mr Wood’s murder.

Brown has since remarried and now lives in Chester-le-Street, Durham.

Although no plea was entered at today’s preliminary hearing the court heard that a not guilty plea has been indicated by her defence team.

The case was adjourned until November 25 and Brown, wearing a peach-coloured T-shirt and brown trousers, was remanded in custody. It is unlikely that her trial will be held before March next year.