A GWENT man accused of killing his estranged wife is to enter a plea next month.

Christopher Colin Parry, 50, who until recently was in the care of St Cadoc’s Hospital, Caerleon, before being moved to Manchester, is charged with the murder of Caroline Parry and possession of a firearm, a 12-bore shotgun, with the intent to commit murder.

Parry, who is still on remand under the Mental Health Act, did not attend the hearing at Cardiff Crown Court this morning.

Recorder Eleri Rees set a date for a plea and case management hearing on April 25.

Parry last appeared in court on December 2.

Ms Parry, 46, died after being shot in Seabreeze Avenue, in Newport, on August 8 last year.

An inquest heard she died from a shot in the back following the incident at around 8.35am.

Police were not able to interview him immediately after the incident and he remained in Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital under police guard while recovering from 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 last year at St Stephen’s Church in Adeline Street, Newport.