Essex man denies murder of special needs teacher
A Hatfield Heath man accused of killing his partner has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Silver-bearded Ronald Edwards, 65, appeared in the dock at Chelmsford Crown Court dressed in denim jeans and a blue checked shirt and denied murdering 66-year-old Sylvia Rowley-Bailey, on June 11 this year.
Ms Rowley-Bailey, a retired special needs teaching assistant, who had been Mr Edwards partner for eight years, was found at their bungalow home in Matching Road, Hatfield Heath with stab wounds. One severed her jugular, one went from her ear through to her throat, and another injured her pulmonary artery.
Judge Christopher Ball QC remanded Edwards in custody until the next preliminary hearing in October. A provisional trial date of December 8 was fixed.
Father-of-three Edwards is a recently retired external university and college assessor. He previously worked as an inspector for a water company for about 18 years. His 88-year-old mother lives in St Albans.
You may also want to watch:
Ms Rowley-Bailey worked at Mountfitchet Maths and Computing College in Stansted until summer of 2008 and previously at schools in Harlow.
Most Read
- 1 Uttlesford Covid case rates decline means they are now the lowest in Essex
- 2 Covid-19 fast-testing centre opens in Uttlesford for asymptomatic residents
- 3 Red engraved gem from iron ring is older than was previously thought
- 4 New Local Plan: 'Housing and transport should be planned together'
- 5 Council row over near £1 million underspend on road repairs
- 6 Beavers help with Finchingfield's 'worst flood in 20 years'
- 7 Broomfield staff facing a 'battlefield scenario' in Covid fight
- 8 Housing sites sought by Uttlesford District Council
- 9 Covid jabs have started at Broomfield Hospital's Vaccination Hub
- 10 Essex County Council approves council tax increase