MAGISTRATES took the unusual step of granting bail to a 45-year-old County Durham man who appeared in court yesterday charged with his wife's murder.
Michael Luke appeared at Sedgefield Magistrates' Court in Newton Aycliffe yesterday over the death of 37-year-old Johanna Luke.
The mother-of-two was found with severe head injuries in her home in Priory Gardens, Willington, near Bishop Auckland, on Sunday, August 28.
Her husband of 18 years staggered into the court room, where he barely spoke to confirm his name, address and age. He was unable to stand throughout the proceedings.
The court was told that he was in a poor state of health and needed close supervision in hospital. He was released on conditional bail to reside as decided by the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust under section two of the Mental Health Act. He will appear at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, September 13.
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