THE case against an 84-year-old man charged with the murder of an 82-year-old woman in Mullion over the bank holiday weekend has been adjourned for Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH).

Donald Hickery, aged 84, of Laflouder Fields in Mullion, did not appear in court when the case was heard at Truro Crown Court this morning (Wednesday, June 2).

Both prosecution and defence suggested a trial date of January 24 next year, however Judge Simon Carr said that because of the defendant's degenerative condition he would prefer to hear the trial on October 18 when he was available.

However, neither the defence or prosecution barristers were available on that date and the trial was provisionally booked for next year.

His honour Judge Carr was told that both parties had already identified psychiatrists to make reports which they would liaise together on once they had been received.

He adjourned the case for a PTPH on Tuesday, August 10. This would also allow papers to be served and for the teams to be in possession of the reports.

Judge Carr ordered that Stage 1, prosecution case to be filed, be completed by July 23.

Emergency services were called over reports that a woman had been stabbed at an address in Laflouder Fields, in the village, shortly after 11am on Saturday (May 29).

Sadly she died at the scene a short time later.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: "We are continuing our enquiries and anyone with information which may assist with our investigation is asked to contact us quoting log 411 29/5/21. Please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101."

Scenes of crime officers remained at the scene throughout Saturday and a police cordon was put in place whilst enquiries were ongoing.

Earlier in the day the air ambulance could be seen landing on the village football pitch and there was a heavy police presence in the village.