A POLICEMAN accused of stabbing his wife to death has made his first appearance in court charged with murder.

Police found mother-of-three Maria Jones, 36, in the bedroom of the couple's home on Thursday last week. She had multiple stab wounds.

Cleveland Police officer Graham Ivor Jones, 40, of Barwick Close, Ingelby Barwick, near Stockton, appeared before Teesside magistrates on Saturday, charged with the alleged murder.

He was remanded in custody and will appear before a crown court judge on Thursday.