A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman on Christmas Eve last year.

Peter Edward Yorke, 46, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court today (March 25) for a plea and case management hearing.

Mr Yorke is accused of stabbing to death his partner Leslie Ann Caile, 48, at her home in Hunwick, County Durham.

A trial is due to start on Monday, April 22, with the case back for mention this Thursday (March 28).

Mr Yorke was remanded into custody.