Woman died by strangulation and stab wound, court hears

The death of a 65-year-old woman was caused by strangulation and a stab wound to the neck, a court has heard.

Alexandru Nechifor appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of Antoneta Mirt.

Prosecutor Richard Jory KC said that a post-mortem examination had revealed that the woman's death was caused by "strangulation and a significant stab wound to the neck area".

Police were called to an address in Durrington Lane, Durrington, West Sussex, at 19:50 BST on Thursday following concerns for a woman's welfare.

Mirt was pronounced dead at the scene.

A hearing on Monday at Worthing Magistrates' Court heard how police received two calls about the incident from a male caller.

At the scene, the man was located by police and told officers that his mother was in the other room, the court was told.

A plea hearing has been set for 6 August and provisional trial date for 2 November.

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