AN INQUEST into the death of a 70-year-old Swindon woman has been adjourned after her family requested more time to prepare before the case is brought before a jury.

Yesterday an investigation into the death of Christina Withey, of Morie Close, Sparcells, was opened at the coroner's court in Salisbury complete with a jury.

But this morning the assistant coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Ian Singleton, heard that the family had not known a jury would be present and requested, through their solicitor Kriti Upadhyay, an adjournment to give them more time to prepare their case.

Mrs Withey died on September 15, 2015, at the Great Western Hospital, just five days after being admitted with abdominal pain.

Her family claims she was received an inadequate level of care.

Mr Singleton, visibly displeased with the request for a delay, asked the family’s solicitor Kriti Upadhyay why she hadn’t said anything when she saw the jury taking their seats on Tuesday morning.

He said: “One wonders why this matter wasn’t raised at the time.

“Of course an adjournment would mean starting afresh with a new jury.”

Mr Singleton was under the impression that both parties had received confirmation in January that the case would be heard in front of a jury.

Alan O’Beirne, the solicitor representing the Great Western Hospital, confirmed that this had indeed been the case.

But Ms Upadhyay said the family had never received such confirmation.

The two-day inquest is now expected to take place over three days at some point towards the end of March.