A man today appeared in court charged with the murder of a 63-year-old Shropshire widow.

Gintautas Psenask, a Lithuanian national, appeared at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court.

He is charged with the murder of Margaret Wycherley, of Castle Street, Oswestry, between May 30 and June 5.

Psenask, of no fixed abode, spoke through an interpreter to confirm he understood proceedings during the 10-minute hearing.

The 44-year-old was arrested by police in Shrewsbury town centre on Wednesday morning after Mrs Wycherley’s body was found at her home on Tuesday afternoon.

Psenask was flanked by security guards throughout the hearing.

The case was adjourned for a further hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court on June 15. Psenask was remanded in custody.

Mrs Wycherley was formally identified yesterday.

Neighbours and friends have described her as one of Oswestry’s “true characters”. She worked as a window cleaner and chimney sweep, having taken over her husband Jim’s business after he died in 1993.

She was also known for a love of karaoke.

Councillor Martin Bennett, former Oswestry mayor, previously said: “She was one of Oswestry’s true characters.

“We are all reduced by her loss, particularly in such tragic circumstances.”

Councillor Gareth Jones, town mayor, said he had known Mrs Wycherley for many years and described her as an “icon of the town”.

Carol Roberts, a cleaner at the nearby Centre North West community centre, described her as a bit of a “karaoke queen” who loved singing at The Castle pub.