A judge has expressed his frustration about progressing the case of a 27-year-old man accused of murdering his teenage wife on Christmas Day.

Mohammad Qoraishi was due to enter a plea when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court by TV link with Elmley Prison on Friday.

But his lawyer Elizabeth Lambert asked for a two-week adjournment as further information was awaited from a consultant psychiatrist.

"I can only emphasise this is a very necessary application," she said. "We are not ready at this stage."

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC questioned why matters had not progressed in such a serious matter.

"I am sorry if I appear frustrated, because I am frustrated," he said. "This was an incident on Christmas Day. The matter has already been before the court on two occasions."

Prosecutor Warwick Tatford said: "It is very regrettable these matters haven't been dealt with earlier, but I don't argue against a further adjournment."

The body of 19-year-old Parwin Quriashi was found at their flat at Kentish Court, off London Road in Maidstone, shortly before 1.20pm.

Other residents have expressed shock at the death of the former Maplesden Noakes School pupil in a neighbourhood described as "peaceful".

Adjourning until March 5, the judge stressed: "At that hearing the defendant will be arraigned and the court will expect to be told what the shape of the issues is."

A trial date has been set for June 3. Qoraishi was remanded in custody.