Letchworth’s Ian Stewart appears in court via video link charged with murder of Royston author Helen Bailey

Ian Stewart, the partner of Royston author Helen Bailey, appeared in court via video link this afternoon charged with her murder.

The 55-year-old appeared before St Albans Crown Court charged with murdering Ms Bailey on April 11, perverting the course of justice – reporting her as missing to police and hiding her body – and preventing lawful burial.

Mr Stewart, who is originally from Letchworth, will next appear in court on October 14 and a provisional trial date has been set for January 9.

A post mortem took place on Helen at Lister Hospital in Stevenage yesterday, and another was carried out on her dog Boris today. Pathologists are awaiting further test results for both.