Murder charge man to face trial

A man from a village near Market Drayton has appeared in court charged with the murder of his wife who died after a house fire six years ago.

Alan Stead, 41, of Meynell Fields, Loggerheads, appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of Anita Stead, 39, on May 27, 2002.

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

Stead appeared before Fenton Magistrates Court, in Stoke-on-Trent, yesterday. He spoke only to confirm personal details during the 45 minutes hearing.

After hearing brief details of the case the magistrates sent the case to be dealt with by the crown court.

An application for bail with conditions was rejected by the bench, which ordered Stead be remanded in custody at a hearing at Stafford Crown Court on March 7.

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 Mrs Stead's death after discussions with North Staffordshire coroner, Mr Ian Smith.

A dedicated incident room was set up to deal with the inquiry. Mr Stead was arrested at his home on Tuesday.

Officers searched his house after the arrest and also searched homes in Ashley, near Market Drayton, and Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.