Spalding man charged with murder following Whaplode Drove fire appears in court

A Spalding man who was charged with murder following a Whaplode Drove fire has today (Thursday) appeared at Lincoln Crown Court.

Samuel Church, (36), of Acacia Avenue in Spalding, was charged with the murder of Vincent Markham (52) after emergency services were called to a property in Farrow Road, at Whaplode Drove, on 7 August last year.

Emergency services were called to the property following reports of a fire at the home at about 1am.

Mr Markham died at the scene, and police said a large part of the property was destroyed in the incident.

Church this morning appeared at Lincoln Crown Court via a video-link from Lincoln Prison.

He spoke only to confirm his name and was represented by Francis Fitzgibbon KC.

The Crown Prosecution Service were represented by Katherine Goddard KC.

Judge Simon Hirst adjourned the case for a further hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on 14 June.

Church was remanded back into custody.