A Wallingford man accused of murdering his wife will stand trial in February.

Mihai Hurmuz-Irimia, 29, is said by prosecutors to have fatally stabbed wife Katie on August 30.

The 40-year-old died at their home in Blue Mountains, Wallingford, the town that acted as the setting for fictional county town Causton in ITV detective series Midsomer Murders.

Appearing before Oxford Crown Court this morning (November 7), Hurmuz-Irimia pleaded not guilty to a single count of murder.

Wearing a grey jumper and navy tracksuit trousers, the defendant spoke only to confirm his name and not guilty plea. He spent much of the 17 minute plea hearing with his eyes fixed on the floor of the dock.

Judge Ian Pringle KC, the honorary Recorder of Oxford, told the accused: "I'm going to adjourn your case for trial.

“Your trial will take place at this court on February 20, next year.

“You no doubt will discuss matters with your legal team well in advance of that.

“In the meantime you must remain in custody.”

The trial is expected to last at least five days.

At Monday’s hearing, Matthew Walsh represented the Crown Prosecution Service. Derek Barry appeared for the defendant.

In September, Mrs Hurmuz-Irimia’s family, friends and former colleagues at the Londis shop in Sinodun Road paid tribute to her.

Her family described her as friendly and a ‘lovely mum’. “We have lost our star,” they said.

Jyoti Patel, who runs the Londis, said of the woman who first came to work for them when she was 14: “She was loving, kind, funny, caring person. We will treasure all the memories we have had with her.

“She will be truly missed by everyone who knew her and she will always be forever in our hearts.”

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward