Court appearance for murder accused (From Daily Echo)

Court appearance for man accused of murdering Delia Hughes in Ocean Village

10:35am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in Crime By Sian Davies, Senior News Reporter

A man accused of the murder of Southampton great grandmother Delia Hughes has appeared in court for the first time.

Jamie Boult, 24, appeared before district judge Lorraine Morgan at Southampton Magistrates Court this morning to face the charge of murder of Mrs Hughes, 85, and a further charge of aggravated burglary.

Boult spoke only to confirm his name, age and address at the brief hearing before prosecutor Emma Currie outlined details of the alleged murder that happened on August 18.

Boult is alleged to have entered Mrs Hughes' ground floor flat in Ocean Village before hitting her over the head with a lump hammer a number of times.

The aggravated burglary charge relates to a separate incident four days before the alleged murder of Mrs Hughes at an address in Bitterne.

Boult, of Chessel Crescent, Bitterne, was remanded in custody to appear at Winchester Crown Court on September 20.