THE woman charged with the murder of Michael Redpath following a fire in Swindon last week has appeared at Bristol Crown Court.

Patricia Louise Hindle, of Crombey Street, Swindon, appeared at the court yesterday via video link from HMP Eastwood Park for a preliminary hearing.

The 29-year-old appeared pale and nervous as she listened to the proceedings from behind a table, dressed casually in dark trousers and a grey jumper, her dark hair tied back in a pony tail.

She is accused of the murder of 62-year-old Mr Redpath after a blaze at a property in Albion Street on the night of Wednesday, September 10.

Hindle did not enter a plea.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at 9.16pm and firefighters rescued Mr Redpath. He was taken to the Great Western Hospital by the South Western Ambulance Service, but later died from his injuries.

During the proceedings yesterday, which was overseen by the recorder of Bristol Judge John Ford QC, potential dates for any trial were discussed, as well as when both sides would need to serve papers by.

The court also arranged that the plea and case management hearing would take place at Bristol on November 25.

Hannah Squire, prosecuting, said: “Today’s hearing is the first hearing after being before the magistrates court on Saturday but I see no reason why this cannot be an effective preliminary hearing.

“I suggest we need eight weeks for the service of papers due to the level of forensic evidence required in this case and I have been informed that officers themselves need six weeks.”

Should the case require a trial, it is expected to take between seven days and two weeks.

It will be overseen by a High Court Judge from March 9, 2015, as Judge Ford was unavailable to oversee it before the custody limits ran out.

He said: “What I would normally do is set a provisional trial date because of custody implications.

“The first date we can give is March 16, but I think this is a week longer than the custody time limits.

“Thank you then, Miss Hindle, the next hearing in this case will be on November 25.

“In the meantime you will remain in custody.”

The seriousness of the case meant that it was sent to Bristol Crown Court after Hindle appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on Saturday.

A post mortem took place on Thursday last week and the coroner found that Mr Redpath died of smoke inhalation and burns.

His next of kin have been informed of his death.

The former Honda forklift operator, known locally as Mick, led a life blighted by alcohol. He had been in prison several times and had been convicted of over 20 alcohol-related offences.

Following the incident, Wiltshire Police cordoned off the scene and also carried out enquiries in neighbouring streets.