Man in court charged with wife's murder

A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of his wife who was found dead in their home.

Joseph Richardson, from Stoneybank Drive in Musselburgh, is alleged to have killed Janette Richardson, 57, on Friday.

The 61-year-old joiner appeared from custody at Haddington Sheriff Court yesterday.

Richardson made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

Procurator fiscal Fiona Caldwell confirmed the accused would be expected to reappear in court within seven to eight days.

Family and friends have left flowers outside Mrs Richardson's home, where she had lived with her husband since the 1980s.

The couple married at Restalrig Parish Church and they had been married for 35 years.

Mrs Richardson, who had worked as a nurse, had four children, Joanne, 33, Gavin, 30, Daniel, 28, and Laura, 21, and two granddaughters.

Police and an ambulance were called to the semi-detached house at around 9am on Friday.

Officers cordoned off the scene and forensic specialists later carried out an examination of the home.