A MAN has denied murdering retired teacher Betty Yates at her Bewdley home earlier this year.

Stephen Farrow, aged 47, pleaded not guilty to murdering Mrs Yates at her home on the edge of Bewdley between January 1 and 5 this year.

Mrs Yates, who had turned 77 on December 28, was found stabbed to death in her cottage Riverscroft on Wednesday, January 4.

Farrow, of no fixed abode, also denied murdering Rev John Suddards between February 12 and 15 during a brief hearing at Bristol Crown Court.

Mr Suddards, 59, was found stabbed to death at his home in Thornbury, south Gloucestershire, on February 14.

But Farrow did admit the unconnected charge of burgling Vine Cottage in Thornbury between December 21 last year and January 3 this year.

He entered his pleas via videolink from Long Lartin Prison in Worcestershire.

Farrow was remanded in custody and faces trial before Mr Justice Field beginning on October 8 at Bristol Crown Court.