Friday 11 March 2016

A court hears Rita King was suffering from dementia when she was killed at the home in Essex in December.
13:16, UK,Friday 11 March 2016
Rita King was killed on 28 December
An 86-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife, who was shot dead at a care home.
Ronald King was charged over the death of Rita King, 81, at De La Mer House in Naze Park Road, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, on 28 December.
Care home staff said Mrs King was suffering from dementia.
The hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court was temporarily delayed after the judge was told King could not be brought from the cells because he was in a wheelchair and there was no suitable lift access.
Care home murder
Judge Charles Gratwicke responded: "I understand he is in a wheelchair and for health and safety reasons the staff in the cells are not permitted to bring him to court.
"It is imperative this court hears this case as promptly as possible."
The hearing took place in an overspill court in the magistrates' court building across the road after a short delay while King was taken across the road in a prison van.
He looked frail as he entered the dock escorted by two prison guards.
He walked into the dock on crutches and was helped to sit down by the guards after the judge told him he need not stand for the hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes.
The trial will take place on 4 July.

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