A KEWSTOKE man accused of killing his wife has seen his plea hearing at Bristol Crown Court postponed.

Stephen Hotson, aged 45, was due to appear in the dock to answer a charge of murder after his wife Julie Tottle was found dead at their Crookes Lane home on July 5.

She died from head injuries after what police described as a ‘sustained attack’.

Hotson had been listed to appear at court today (Thurs) when he was expected to enter a formal plea in response to the charge.

However, neither prosecution nor defence legal teams were ready and both agreed to postpone the hearing for a week.

This means Hotson – who received life-saving medical aid and was airlifted to hospital after the events of July 5 – will instead appear at Bristol on November 3.

Colleagues of Julie, who was a veterinary nurse at Green Pastures, paid tribute to her as ‘a caring, dedicated and much-loved’ friend after her death.

A memorial service in her name was held in Kewstoke last week.