A BURY St Edmunds man has denied murdering Mary Griffiths, who was found at her home in the town with fatal injuries.

Colin Adwent

A BURY St Edmunds man has denied murdering Mary Griffiths, who was found at her home in the town with fatal injuries.

Relatives and friends of Ms Griffiths were at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday to hear John McFarlane plead not guilty to murder.

The 40-year-old, who was dressed in a light blue t-shirt and blue jogging bottoms, spoke only to confirm his name and plead not guilty to the charge during a hearing which lasted just less than 20 minutes.

Police found Ms Griffiths, a 38-year-old fitness instructor, when they went to her home in Bullrush Crescent, Bury St Edmunds, on May 6.

She was taken to West Suffolk Hospital where she died a short time later of a deep chest wound.

No specific details about the events surrounding the case were revealed in open court yesterday, although McFarlane's counsel Jonathan Goodman discussed certain aspects of the defence with Judge John Devaux.

However, these can not be revealed for legal reasons.

As proceedings drew to a close McFarlane was told the next hearing of his case would be in three months time.

Addressing McFarlane, Judge Devaux said: “There will be a mention hearing on November 6. It is going to be an administrative hearing and it may not be necessary to have you here.”

No date was able to be fixed for McFarlane's trial and there was no bail application on his behalf.

He is currently remanded in custody.