Man charged with wife murder

A man from the Shropshire border has been charged with the murder of his wife who died after a house fire six years ago.

Alan Stead was due in court today. He is accused of the murder of Anita Stead, 39, on May 27, 2002.

The mother-of-four died from smoke inhalation following the blaze at her home in Slindon Close, Waterhayes, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

On Tuesday morning police arrested her 41-year-old husband at his home in Meynell Fields, Loggerheads, near Market Drayton.

He was due to appear at Fenton Magistrates Court, Stoke-on-Trent, today.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman today said: "The man arrested in connection with the inquiry has been charged with murder.

"He remains in custody and is due to appear before magistrates today."

The spokesman said officers are still keen to hear with anyone who may have information relating to the inquiry.

A team of officers from Staffordshire Police's major investigations department has spent the past 12 months looking in detail at all of the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs Stead.

A dedicated incident room was set up to deal with the inquiry.

Officers searched Mr Stead's home after his arrest and also carried out searches of houses in Ashley, Staffordshire, and Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Lee, who is leading the investigation, has appealed for anyone with any information on the fire to get in touch.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on (01785) 232800.