THE case of a man charged with the murder of his estranged wife was heard in court this morning.

Christopher Colin Parry, 49, currently in the care of St Cadoc’s Hospital, Caerleon, is charged with the murder of Caroline Parry and possession of a firearm, a 12-bore shotgun, with the intent to commit murder.

Parry did not attend the brief hearing at Cardiff Crown Court this morning.

The Recorder of Cardiff Eleri Rees set the next hearing date for mention on March 14 to allow time for psychiatric reports to be completed.

Parry last appeared in court on December 2.

Ms Parry, 46, died after being shot in Seabreeze Avenue, in Newport, on August 8. An inquest heard she died from a shot in the back following the incident at around 8.35am.

Parry was allegedly found lying next to the body of the mum of two. He had wounds to his face and due to his medical condition, police were not able to interview him immediately after the incident.

He remained in Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital under police guard while recovering from the injuries until October 2.

He was then moved to St Cadoc’s under section 48 of the Mental Health Act.

Mr and Mrs Parry, who had been married for 27 years and lived together in Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, before they split up, had two children.

Ms Parry’s funeral was held on September 3 at St Stephen’s Church in Adeline Street, Newport.

Following the incident in the summer, flowers and tributes were left on the corner of Seabreeze Avenue and Willenhall Street.

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who will investigate Gwent Police’s contact with the estranged couple as they had been known to officers.

Parry’s next hearing will be on March 14 at Cardiff Crown Court. He remains in the care of the psychiatric services at St Cadoc’s.