Clifford Foster, 61, has appeared at Cardiff Crown Court charged with the murder of Eleanor Barnfield, 47, a housing association worker at the sheltered living complex where he lived.
Ms Barnfield died in hospital after her car crashed into a wall on Coity Road in Bridgend on October 19. Police previously said she had suffered puncture wounds which were not sustained in the collision.
Court Hearing Details
During the brief hearing on Monday, Foster spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, and was not asked to enter a plea.
Recorder Tracey Lloyd-Clarke ordered Foster, of Ger-y-Nant, Bridgend, to appear before Cardiff Crown Court on November 23 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. He was remanded into custody ahead of this next court appearance.
Trial Date Set
The judge set a provisional trial date for April 12 next year and said it is expected to take around three weeks.
The decision to charge Foster followed a “significant policing operation” around Ger-y-Nant, which is managed by the Valleys to Coast housing association, where Ms Barnfield worked and Foster was living.
Family Tribute
In a tribute issued through police last week, Ms Barnfield's family said: “She meant everything to us and will be forever loved and missed deeply by her devoted family and friends. She was our rock.”
The sheltered housing and retirement complex of 13 flats has non-resident management staff and accepts new residents aged 60 or over, according to an online profile of the facility.
Valleys to Coast housing association chief executive Jo Oak said previously: “We are devastated by the tragic death of our colleague, Eleanor Barnfield.
“Eleanor was a much-valued member of the Valleys to Coast team, and her loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and worked alongside her.
“She made an important contribution to our organisation and to the communities we serve, and she will be remembered with great warmth and affection by her colleagues.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Eleanor’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. We are doing everything we can to support those affected by her loss.
“We continue to cooperate fully with South Wales Police and, out of respect for Eleanor’s family and the ongoing investigation, we will not be commenting further on the circumstances of her death at this time.”
