FORMER businessman Peter Heron "totally denies" murdering his wife 15 years ago, his solicitor told a court yesterday.

The family of Ann Heron were in court yesterday as her husband appeared before magistrates, charged with her murder.

Mrs Heron's throat was cut as she sunbathed at her home on the outskirts of Darlington on the hottest day of the year in summer 1990.

Yesterday, Mrs Heron's daughter, Ann Marie Cockburn, sobbed throughout a ten-minute hearing as magistrates sent Peter Heron, 70, from Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, to Teesside Crown Court, next Thursday.

Mr Heron spoke confidently when giving his name and address, even spelling out the name of his street - Whitcutt Way.

White haired and wearing a pale yellow sweater and white shirt, he leaned forward against the glass to hear every word that was said.

His solicitor, Peter Wishlade, did not apply for bail, but said he would do so in due course. Mr Wishlade said: "This is a 70-year-old man of previous good character who totally denies the allegation.

"There will be no application for bail. This is not because we believe he should be remanded in custody.

"There are 4,000 witness statements and 18,000 exhibits that have been collected over the years.

"One needs to know a little bit more before a bail application can be made."

Peter Smith, prosecuting, said there would have been objections to bail and asked for the defendant to be remanded in custody. He was given Legal Aid.

Miss Cockburn was comforted by her partner, Dino Zavaroni, her father, Ralph Cockburn, and brothers Ralph and Michael, who had travelled from Glasgow to Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, in County Durham.

Across the courtroom, closest to the glass-fronted dock, sat relatives of Mr Heron, including two of his three daughters.

The body of Mrs Heron was found at her home, Aeolian House, near Middleton St George, on August 3, 1990.

Despite one of the largest investigations undertaken by Durham Constabulary, her killer was never found.

Earlier this year, police called in one of the country's foremost forensic experts to lead a series of laboratory tests on samples taken from the scene, some so small that they had previously been beyond scientific analysis.

A report by retired detective Ian Phillips, who was brought in last year to lead a cold case review of the killing, has also been completed.

Durham detectives arrested Mr Heron on Wednesday at the bungalow he had shared with his wife, Freda, until her death in July.

They brought the retired businessman to Spennymoor police station, where he was charged late on Thursday.

As Mr Heron was led from the dock by a security officer he waved to his family. His daughter blew him a kiss.