Man to face plea hearing charged with murder of church warden in Somerset village

A plea hearing has been scheduled for next month after a 36-year-old man was charged with murdering a church warden at her home in a Somerset village.

David Parish, of Halyard Drive, Bridgwater, is accused of murdering Beryl Purdy, 86, in Broomfield, near Bridgwater on Monday 27th March.

Avon and Somerset Police were called to reports of a burglary in progress at Mrs Purdy's home at about 5.45pm that day.

She died at the property after being found by emergency services with serious injuries which proved to be fatal/

In a statement issued after her death, Mrs Purdy's family said they were "devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother and granny".

They said: "Bez was a caring person who would help anyone in need and was very much part of the village, being a church warden for 20 years.

"We will miss her very much and we are all struggling to understand why this happened to such a lovely person."

Parish was charged with murder on Tuesday after initially being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The 36 year old was released from a mental health unit and then appeared before Taunton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

In a hearing at Bristol Crown Court today Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, said: "I direct that he be remanded in custody.

"There will be a plea and trial preparation hearing on October 20."

Parish, who is currently in Exeter Prison, did not attend the short hearing.

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