A Southampton man accused of murdering Delia Hughes made his first appearance at Winchester Crown Court today.

Jamie Boult, 24, is accused of bludgeoning the great grandmother, 85, to death with a lump hammer at her home in Atlantic Way, Ocean Village on August 18.

In a five minute hearing today Judge Andrew Barnett fixed a provisional trial date of March 4 2013 and a plead and case management hearing on December 17.

The judge remanded Boult, of Chessell Crescent, Bitterne , into custody.

There was no application for bail.

He appeared in a casual sweat shirt accompanied by four prison officers