A GRANDSON will appear in court today charged with the violent murder of his grandmother nearly seven years ago.Edward Dunderdale, 41, unemployed, of Clacton, was yesterday charged with the murder of Violet Dunderdale, 77, in July 1999.

By Juliette Maxam

A GRANDSON will appear in court today charged with the violent murder of his grandmother nearly seven years ago.

Edward Dunderdale, 41, unemployed, of Clacton, was yesterday charged with the murder of Violet Dunderdale, 77, in July 1999.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Colchester Magistrates' Court today to face a murder charge.

Mrs Dunderdale, known to many as “Nan”, was found lying in a pool of blood in bed at her home in Archers Way, Galleywood, on July 26, 1999. She died from a blow to the head.

At the time, detectives arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with her death, but he was released without charge and sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Last year Essex Police investigative review team, known as the cold case team, reopened the files, under the lead of Detective Superintendent Colin Steele.

Dunderdale was arrested in October last year and released on police bail while enquiries continued.

In June 2000, the inquest into Mrs Dunderdale's death recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Mrs Dunderdale had last been seen on the Sunday night supping Guinness at her local Royal British Legion social club.

Friends and neighbours described her as a well-loved community figure who loved to bake bread and cakes for neighbours and was always happy to stop and chat.

Neighbour Nick Cobbold, who lived just a few doors away, paid tribute to her at the time.

He said: “She was so loveable. She would go indoors, bake a cake, and bring half of it out. She was full of community spirit.”

juliette.maxam@eadt.co.uk