JOANNE Williams appeared in court on Monday morning charged with the murder of Marc Hastings.

Police officers were originally called to Williams' home in Meek Road, Newent at 10.40pm of Wednesday, August 12 and discovered the body of 43-year-old Mr Hastings.

Williams was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder and on Friday, August 14 Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court granted police a 36-hour Warrant for her further detention in order to allow officers additional time for further questioning.

At around 8pm on Saturday, August 15 Gloucestershire Police charged 51-year-old Williams with the murder of Mr Hastings of Hillcrest Road in Berry Hill, Coleford.

Wearing a grey jumper at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court, Williams confirmed her name and address.

The magistrates sent the case to Bristol Crown Court.

Williams was remanded in custody until she appears before a judge, today, Wednesday, August 19.

An initial inquest into Mr Hastings’ death is expected to be opened later this week with a full hearing being heard later in the year.

The cause of Mr Hastings’ death has not yet been revealed by the coroner's office.

• Gloucestershire Police has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission following the death of a 43-year-old man in Meek Road, Newent on Wednesday, August 12.

This is because the police had previously had contact with those involved in this case. The Independent Police Complaints Commission will investigation Gloucestershire Police’s action prior to the victim’s death.