Man in hospital charged with his wife's murder

A HUSBAND was yesterday charged with murdering his wife at a specially convened court hearing at his bedside in a Scottish hospital.

Neil Cumming, 45, was charged with the murder of his wife Jane after the ward at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where he is being treated for injuries sustained in a car crash was used as a temporary court room.

The body of Mrs Cumming, a mother-of-two, was discovered by police officers at the family home in Mary Findlay Drive, Longforgan, in the Carse of Gowrie on 15 July, two hours after her husband had been involved in a car crash on the outskirts of Dundee. Mrs Cumming had allegedly been stabbed to death.

Mrs Cumming was employed as a sales adviser with the TSB in Albert Street, Dundee. She is survived by her husband and two daughters, Nicole, aged 12 and Claire, 11.

Tayside Police announced early yesterday afternoon: "A 45-year-old man has been arrested by Tayside Police in connection with an incident in Mary Findlay Drive, Longforgan, on 15 July."

Later the Crown Office confirmed that Neil Cumming, 45, of Longforgan, Dundee, had appeared on petition before Sheriff Robert McCreadie at a specially convened hearing of Perth Sheriff Court at Ninewells Hospital.

He was charged with murder and dangerous driving and made no plea or declaration. Cumming was remanded in custody and committed for further examination.

In a statement released following Mrs Cumming's death, her family said: "Jane was a wonderful, family-oriented person who had all the love in the world for her two girls."