A Hadleigh man has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of a 71-year-old woman who died after emergency services were called to her home.

Peter Sykes, of Castle Road, is also accused of contravening health and safety regulations relating to boilers at five different premises over a five-year period.

The 67-year-old self-employed plumbing, heating and air conditioning installer was charged after an investigation into the death of Annette Coe, of St Edmunds Road, Ipswich.

Mrs Coe, the mother of William Coe who runs Coes stores in Suffolk and Essex, collapsed at her home on December 5 last year.

It is alleged that between September 30, 2010, and December 6, 2012, that Sykes failed to discharge his duty to service and repair Mrs Coe’s Lennox oil-fired ducted warm air heater, its package burner, and the warm air heating system.

The remaining health and safety charges are said to involve boilers at locations in Onnen Back Lane, Monks Eleigh, Lower Raydon, near Hadleigh, Pytches Road, Woodbridge, and Shearman Road, Hadleigh.

These alleged offences are said to have taken place between September 5, 2007, and November 13 last year.

Yesterday Sykes made his first appearance on the six charges during a short hearing before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court in Ipswich.

No pleas were entered and his case was committed to Ipswich Crown Court where he is to appear on October 29 for a preliminary hearing.

Sykes was released on bail until then.

Officers and fire crews were called to Mrs Coe’s home after smoke was reportedly seen.

She was taken to Ipswich Hospital, but died the following day.

Sykes was charged last month after an 10-month investigation led by Suffolk Constabulary’s major investigation team.