A murder hearing has been delayed after the defendant was deemed unfit to attend.

Jake Neate, 36, of Mountbatten Court, Braintree, has been charged with the murder of Suzanne Brown, 33, after an incident in Braintree on Saturday, December 16.

He was due to enter a plea at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, however he was not fit to attend.

The hearing has been delayed until Monday, April 9.

Officers were called to a home in Braintree shortly before 12.20am after being contacted with concerns for the welfare of the occupants.

Ms Brown, of Mountbatten Court, in Mountbatten Road, was found with 173 stab wounds.