Bishop Street courthouse in Derry
Sophie Watson (57) was found stabbed to death at a property in Ashgrove Park in Magherafelt, Co Derry on Sunday, August 18.
Polish national Andrzej Pajaczkowski (43), also from Ashgrove Park in Magherafelt, appeared at Derry Magistrates’ Court via video link from police custody on Wednesday to face one charge of murder contrary to Common Law.
Bearded and dressed in a grey tracksuit and assisted by an interpreter, the court heard he has been living in the North of Ireland for the past 20 years.
A detective constable told District Judge Oonagh Mullan that she could connect the accused to the charge.
Defence solicitor Eoghan McKenna noted to the judge that his client had replied “not guilty” after being charged.
He made no application for bail but said such an application may be made at a later point.
“We are conscious of ongoing police inquiries in the area,” said Mr McKenna.
“We also require some investigation of bail address issues and I also want to obtain some medical evidence before progressing the bail application. This will be a complicated and complex investigation.”
With no application for bail, District Judge Mullan remanded the defendant in custody to Maghaberry prison until Wednesday, September 18.