By Patrick Lowman and Benedict O'ConnorPOLICE have been given more time to question a man in connection with the alleged murder of his wife, who died from stab wounds.

By Patrick Lowman and Benedict O'Connor

POLICE have been given more time to question a man in connection with the alleged murder of his wife, who died from stab wounds.

Gareth Lewis, 42, was arrested at the home he shared with his wife, Amanda, and their two children in Fitzgerald Walk, Bury St Edmunds on Sunday afternoon.

Police investigating the death of Mrs Lewis, also 42, were granted more time yesterday by magistrates to keep her husband in custody while they continued their inquiries.

Mr Lewis was arrested after an ambulance was called to take his wife to the West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, at about 2.45pm on Sunday for treatment for stab wounds to her abdomen, from which she later died.

Suffolk police said they had been given until 7pm today to keep a 42-year-old man in custody at Bury St Edmunds police station for further questioning on suspicion of murder.

Neighbours on the quiet estate where the couple lived expressed shock and sadness at the death of Mrs Lewis.

Chris Eaves, who lives just doors away from the Lewis family on the Westley Estate, said: “This has been the biggest surprise of my life. I just can't believe it.”

Another neighbour, Anna Jones, added: “We are just completely stunned, you just don't expect things like this to happen around here.”

Other residents on the estate said the couple had moved to Bury St Edmunds from the Leicester area about six years ago for work reasons.

They were described as a “nice, friendly couple”, who were “hard-working” and a “normal family” by neighbours.

Mr Lewis worked for Claas, a company that makes agricultural equipment, when he first moved to the area, and subsequently held several other jobs in Bury St Edmunds.

His wife had been employed at both supermarkets Sainsbury's and Roys of Wroxham in recent years and was said to have been a keen gardener.